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TO PARENTS, TEACHERS, 
SCHOOL COMMITTEES, 

AND ALL OTHERS INTERESTED IN THE CAUSE OF 
EDUCATION. 



The subscribers respectfully solicit attention to the 
following Catalogue of School Books, and other works 
auxiliary to the cause of general education. At a great 
expense of care, time, and capital, they have succeeded 
in forming a series of School Books, which, it is believed, 
may fairly challenge competition with those of any othei 
publishing house in the country. It has been an object 
with them to secure the aid of the best authors and 
teachers in the preparation of these works ; and they have 
spared no expense in rendering the mechanical execution 
of each work in some measure worthy of the matter which 
it contains. Indeed, it has been a favourite design with them 
to introduce a superior style of printing, engraving, paper, 
and binding for School Books, believing as they do, that the 
usefulness of the works is as much enhanced by their accu- 
racy, as the interest which the pupils take in them is in- 
creased by their neatness and beauty. The engravings on 
steel and on wood which adorn some of the volumes, have 
been executed by some of our best engravers, and are by no 
means discreditable to their talents. 



As all the works are stereotyped, their accuracy is insured; 
since any trifling error which may escape notice in a first 
edition, is easily corrected in the stereotype plates before a 
second is issued. 

The series of School Histories ; comprising the Histories 
of Greece, Rome, and England, the Outlines of Sacred 
History, and the Sacred History of the Deluge, are 
considered particularly worthy of attention. A careful 
examination of these books will show them to be well suited 
to the use of schools. Their embellishments are executed 
in a beautiful style; and the tables, questions, and other 
explanatory and illustrative matter, render tiiem unusually 
convenient for teachers, and improving for scholars. The 
recommendations of teachers and reviewers of public journals 
contained in the catalogue, will show the estimation in which 
they are held by literary men, and the extent to which they 
have been introduced in the schools of our country. 

In order to complete this series of school histories, the 
subscribers have now in preparation a History of the 
United Slates, and a General History. 

The small volume of Guy and Keith on Astronomy and 
the Use of the Globes, is a very popular work. It has been 
found the most elegant and convenient compend of astrono- 
mical science hitherto prepared for the use of schools. The 
recommendations of this work are respectfully offered to the 
notice of the public. 

Bridge's Algebra is also gaining a very high repute, from 
its accuracy and the beautifully clear and concise method 



[iii.] 

which the author pursues. It is a favourite book with pupils, 
on account of its being perfectly intelligible and interesting. 
It renders a somewhat abstruse science quite attractive to 
young minds. 

The Scientific Class Book is perhaps the most valuable 
publication on the list. It comprises in two moderately 
sized volumes all the subjects of natural science studied in 
schools and academies, and several subjects highly useful 
and interesting which have not hitherto been embraced in 
the course of instruction at school. Natural Philosophy, 
Chemistry, Metallurgy, Mineralogy, Crystallography, Geo- 
logy, Oryctology, and Meteorology, are here treated at suffi- 
cient length for the purposes of liberal education ; and in 
the volume which is now in preparation, Physiology and tlie 
several departments of Zoology will be fully treated. A 
uniform and well executed course on these important sub- 
jects has hitherto been a desideratum. It is believed, and 
the testimonials submitted in the catalogue support the be- 
lief, that the volumes now oifered leave nothing further to 
be desired in the way of text books for a thorough course of 
school instruction on natural science. 

For particular notices of the other School Books com- 
prised in the subscribers' list, the reader is referred to the 
following catalogue. Teachers and school committees, who 
may be desirous to examine copies of the books, are respect- 
fully requested, to call at the store of the subscribers. No. 
23 Minor street, or to make application to their nearest agent. 

KEY & BIDDLE. 



Third Part in Press. 

THE 

SCIENTIFIC CLASS-BOOK; 

A FAMILIAR INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPLES 

OF 

PHYSICAL SCIENCE: 

FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. 



PART III. 



COMPRISING 



PHYSIOLOGY, 

BOTANY, 

MAMMALOGY, 

ORNITHOLOGY, 



ICHTHYOLOGY, 
EHPETOI.OOY, 
ENTOMOLOGY, AND 
CONCHOLOGY. 



CAREFCLLT Pni;PAnET» FROM THF, MOST ArTnKXTIC MATrniAI.«, AXD 

A COMPARtSON 07 TRK LATEST AT?D BEST AnTHOIllTIES, 

AND FURNISHED WITH NOTES, REFERENCES, aCES- 

TI0N8 FOR EXAMINATION, LISTS OF 

BUBSIDIART WORKS, AND A 

COPIOUS INDEX. 



3Y WALTER R. JOHNSON, A.M. 

ProfcBsor of Meclmnics and Natural Philosophy in Ih.' Franklin Institute 

of tlio Stale of Pennsylvania ; Member, and one of the Curators 

of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; 

one of the Vice Presidents of the American 

Institute of Instruction 



VALUABLE SCHOOL-BOOKS 

PUBLISHED BY 

KEY & BIDDLE. 



PINNOCK'S ENGLAND. 

THIRD AMERICAN, FROM THE TWENTY-THHID LONDON 
EDITION. 

PINNOCK'S IMPROVED EDITION OF DR. GOLD- 
SMITH'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND, from the Inva- 
sion of .Tulius Caesar to the death of George II., with a 
continuation to the year 18.32: with Questions for exa- 
mination at the end of each section ; besides a variety of 
valuable information added throughout the work, consist- 
ing of Tables of Contemporary Sovereigns and Eminent 
Persons, copious Explanatory Notes, Remarks on the 
Politics, Manners, and Literature of the Age, and an Out- 
line of the Constitution. Illustrated with Thirty En- 
gravings on Wood. Third American, corrected and re- 
vised from the Twenty-third English Edition. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

Mkssus. Key & Biddle, PhilaJdpkia, Oct. 20, 1834. 

Gentlemen — Be pleased to accept my thanks for the favour you 
have done me in sending a copy of your neat and attractive edition of 
Pinnock's OoUlsmith's England. It appears to me to have been sedu- 
lously prepared for the purpose which it professes to subserve — that 
of a convenient manual for schools and academies. By the questions 
and tabular views at the ends of the several chapters, the scholar will 
be able to test his own acquisitions, and to embrace at a glance an im- 
portant collection of facts, in regard to the history and biography of the 
period of which he has been reading. These land-marks for the me- 
mory serve to raise a host of reminiscences, all interesting to the dili- 
gent and inquiring student. — With my wishes for the success of the 
work, accept the assurances of the high respect with which I sut> 
scribe myself, Your obedient servant, 

WALTER R. JOHNSON. 
Professor of Mechanics and Natural Philosophy 
in the Franklin Institute. 



[2] 



From S. JOrs'ES, A. M. Principal of the Classical and Mathematical 
Inililntt, Fhil'jdtlphia. 

I have attei.iively examined Fiiiiiock's improved edition of Dr 
GoUsOiith's History of England, publiiihed by Messrs. Key & Biddle 
of this city, and oni impressed with its exfelience. I have no hesita- 
tion in expressing my full approbation of the work, with my belief that 
it will receive a liberal patronage from an enlightened community. 

\]lhMo.- 1834. 

I consider Pinnock'a edition of Goldpmith's History of England as 
the best edition of that work which has yet been published (or the 
nse of schools. The tables of contemporary sovereigns and eminent 
persons, at the end jf each chapter, aHord trie means of many useful 
remarks and comparisons with the history of other nations. With 
these views, I cheerfully recommend it as a book well adapted to 
school purposes. JOHN M KEAGY. 

Friends' Academy, Philadelphia. 

We fully concur m the opinion as expressed above. 



SETII SMITJI, 

J. II. «L.\CK, 

THOS. COI.I.INS, 

JAMES CUOVVKIX, 

J. B. WALKER, 

S. C. WALKER, 

T. H. WILSON, 

J. MADEIRA, 

WM. MANN, 

W. MARRIOTT, 

C, n. TUF.tJO, 

URIAH KITCHEN, 

THOr5. ErSTACE, 

JOHN HASLAM, 

W. CURKAN, 

J. STOCK DALE, 

S. II. REEVES, 

J. HAVMAR, 

W. I{. ROSE, 

CHAS. MEAD, 

BEN.I. MAYO, 

Rev. S. M. (.JAYLEY, Wil- 

niinffton, Del. 
E. I'OIISE, 

VCK, 



WM. A. GARRIGUES, 

M. SOULE, 

Rev. CHAS. HENRY ALDEN, 

JOHN EUSTACE, 

BEN J. C. TUCKER, 

HUGH MORROW, 

WM McNAiN, 

E. n IirBBARU, 

R. LAKE 

JOHN WEBB, 

JOHN ORI), 

SaML. CLENDENIN. 

U R. ASHTON. 

J. OCONOR, S.>r'y tothn Phila. 
A>.-;(iiialioii olTcachers. 

JO-^KI'II WARREN, 

THOMAS CONRAD, 

TIIOS. McADAM. 

Rev. SAML. W. CRAWTORD, 
A. M. Principal of Acadl. L^epu 
of Univcrsilv nf Pciinsylvauia. 

M. L. ni'RLlUiT, 

R. W. CIISILMAN, 

AUGUSTINE LUniNGTON, 

JOHN ERHARDT, 



J. E. SLA 

JOSEPH R EASTBURN, OLIVER A. SHAVi^, 
A. STEVENSON, A. D. CLEVELANI). 

Ballimnre, Dec. ISM. 
We fully concur in the opinion above expressed 



SAML. JONES, 
O. W. TREADWELL, 
E. HENNE'IT, 
E. R. HARNEY, 
ROUT O'NEILL, 
N. SPELMAN, 
8. W, ROS/.ELL, 
SAMUEL IIUBQELL, 
H. O. W ATI'S, 

C. F, HANSEMER, 

D. E. REESE, 
S. A. CLARKE, 
JOHN FINLEV A. M. 



WILLIAM HA>nLTON, 
JOS. WALKER, 
JAMES SHANLEY, 
DAVID RING, 
ROBT. WALKER, 
D. W. B McCLELAN, 
S. A. DAVIS, 
JAS. F. GOULD 
JOSH H. CLARKE, 
FRANCIS W.XTERS, 
.lOIIN MAGEE, 
MlCllL. POWER. 



[3] 



New York, Dec. 183*. 
We fully concur in the opinion above expressed. 

\V. R. ADDINGTON, THOMAS GIT.DERSI.IEVE, 

BERNARD TIIORaTON, MlirANCTIlON HOYT, 

SHEPPAUn .!OfI>iSTON, THOMAS V. FOWLER, 

HORACE COVELL, .1. BAILE, 

P. PERRINE, SAMUEL GARDNER, 

J. R KlUUER, G. VAl-E, 

SOLOMON .lENNER, J. TAFT, 

JOSEPH M'KEEN, JOSIAH .1. UNDERIIILL, 

EZRA MUNUY, C W. NICHOLS, 

C. CARTER, THOMAS MKEE, 

LEONARD HAZELTINE, G. .1. HORRER, 

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, N, DUNN, 

HENRY SWORDS. R. TOI51TT, 

J. M. ELY, SAMUEL BROWN, 

W. M. SOMERVILLE, ADN, HEGEMAN, 

NORTON THAYER, WILLUM FORREST. 

Gentlemen— \ have looked (but without effect, till now) for a reading- 
book combining at once interest, chasteness of diction, and valuable histo- 
rical inforuiatioii, placed in so enticing a form as to induce the student to 
read it for itself and the facts it contains. My long experience has taught 
nie, that, without interest, the pupil will not trouble himself to luiderstand; 
and without understanding, 'tis in vain to teach, cither for improvement in 
the science of reading or for information. Happily, teachers have in Tin 
nock's Goldsmith's History of England numerous requisites unknown to 
the best of its predecessors. Yours, L. BICKNELL. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 1834. 

We fully concur in the above. WM. ROBERTS, 

B. N. LEWIS. 

Messrs. Kev <& Biddle, November 21, IS34. 

Gentlemen — I have been much pleased by the perusal of " Pinnock's jot- 
proved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's History of England." I think it fully en- 
titled to the appellation, improved, and should rejoice to see it placed in the 
hands of all our American youth. That you, gentlemen, may meet with 
that encouragement which efforts to supply the wants of our schools merit, 
is the desire of Yours, &,c. J. H. BROWN, 

Principal of ike English and Mathematical Academy, 
No. 52 Cherry-street, Philad. 

Review of " Pinnock's Goldsmith's England," made at the request, and 
for the use of the Lyceum of Teachers of the city of Philadelphia , 
by J. H. Brown, Principal of Classical Academy, 52 Cherry-street. 
PINNOCK'S IMPROVED EDITION OF Dr. GOLDSMITH'S H1ST0R\ 
OF ENGLAND, illustrated by thirty Engravings on wood. The first 
American, corrected and revised from the 23d Enghsh edition, pp. 453. 
Philad. Key & Biddle, 1834. 

Therf is no history, e.xcept our own, which is of so much interest to us 
as that of England ; and probably no history of England, designed for the 
use of schools, has been so popular as that of Dr. Goldsmith. And yei 
Teachers have long felt the want of some work that should remedy many 
defects which are found in it. Mr. Pinnock has continued the history to the 
year 1832, with the addition of "questions for examination," at the end of 
each section; the latter, I am aware, will be received by some teachers aa 
of doubtful utility; yet the judicious teacher, by viewing the questions 
merely as hints to himself, will so vary them, as to avoid the too common 
error of neglecting the section for the question. A more important addi- 
tion is the tables of contemporary sovereigns and eminent persons, with 



[4 J 

copious explanatory notes, and remarks on the politics, manners, and liters 
ture of the age. So far as the orisinal work of l)r. Goldsriiiih is preserv»fl, 
I shall not presume lo speak. The notes aborc alluded to are valuable 
additions to tlie orisinal work; and happily interspersed. The remarks 
on politics, manners, and literature, th.Hi^h judiciously made, fall short in 
amount of what many would consider proper for an intcrcstinij; and instruc- 
tive history ; yet, as this part, if much extended, would be dull and spiritless 
to the young, (for whom the work is chietly intended,) perhaps the author 
has pursued the best course. 

The style is animated and clear, abounding snfTicicntly in anecdote to 
make it interesting to the young, and may be considered the most interest- 
ing history of England (for tlic use of schools) extant. 

(.Signed) J. 11. BROWN, 

Princii)al of Academy, 52 Chcrry-sL 



GUY ON ASTRONOMY, 
AND KEITH ON THE GLOBES. 

THIRTEENTH EDITIO.N. 

GUY'S ELEMENTS OF ASTRONOMY, AND AN 
ABRIDGEMENT OF KEITH'S NEW TREATISE 
ON THE GLOBES. Thirteenth American edition, with 
additions and improvements, and an explanation of the 
Astronomical part of the American Almanac. Illustrated 
with eighteen plates, drawn and engraved on steel, iu the 
best manner. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

A volume containing Guy's popular treatise of Astronomy and Keith 
on the Globes, having been submitted to us for exaniinatioti, and care- 
fully examined, we can without any hesitation recommend it to the 
notice and patronage of parents and teachers. The vvor!* on astronomy 
is clear, intelligible, and suited to the comprehension of young pep- 
Bons. It comprises a great amount of information, and is well illustrated 
with steel engravings Keith on the Globes has long been recognised 
as u standard sclioo.-hook. The present edition, comprised in the 
same volume with the Astronomy, is improved by the omission of 
much extraneous matter, and the reduction of si/e and price. On the 
whole, we know of no sehooi-book which comprises so much in bo 
•ittlo ,<ipace as the new edition of Guy and Keith, 

TUnS EUSTACIO, W R. HOSE, 

.lOIlN II\SI..\M, Cn.VS. MEM), 

\V. <MI|lll.\N, Itl'.N.I. MAYO, 

SAMI,. CLKNOrXIN, Ifl'tJII MOKUOW, 

, s. n. RKr.vr.s. .i ii. iu.ack. 

' JOHN JJTOCKDAI.E, S. (;. WAi.KER, 



[5] 



J. B. WALKER, 

J. E. SLACK, 

JOSEPH R. EASTBURN, 

\V:M. McNAIN, 

IL O. WATTS, 

J. O'CONOR, Secretary to 

the Phila. Association of 

Teacliers. 
B. N. LEWIS. 
Rev. CIIAS. IL ALDEN, 
BENJ. C. TUCKER, 
J. ir. BROWN, 
JOHN ORl), 
SETH SMITH, 
WM. ROBERTS, 
T. IL WILSON, 
JOSEPH WARREN, 



TITOS. COLLINS, 

WM. MANN, 

RIAL LAKE, 

W. MARRIOTT, 

C. B TREGO, 

JOHN ERHARDT, 

R. W. CliSHMAN, 

THOS. McAUAM, 

Rev. HAML. W. CRAWFORii. 
Principal of Acadl. Dept. of the 
University of Pennsylvania. 

O. A. SHAW, 

AUGIlt^TlNE LUDINGTON 

M. SOULE, 

WM. A. GARRIGLES, 

M. L. HURLBUT. 



Baltimore, Dec. 1S34. 
We fully concur in the opinion above expressed. 



E. BENNETT, 
C. F BANSEMAR, 
E. R. HARNEV, 
ROBT O'NEIll, 
N. SPELMAN, 
S. W. ROSZELI>, 
SAMUEL nUBUELL, 
I). E. REESE, 
S. A. CI.ARKK, 
JOS. WALKER. 
O. W. TREADWELL, 
Rev. S. M. GAYLEY, Wil- 
mington, Del. 



JAMES SHANLEV, 

DAVID RING, 

ROBT. WALKER, 

D. W. B. McCLELAN, 

S. A. DAVIS, 

JAS. F. GOULD, 

JOS. H. CLARKE, A. Rl 

FRANCIS WATERS, 

JOHN MAGEE, 

MICIIL. POWER, 

C. D. CLEVELAND. 



Wnihraham, Oct. 27, 1834. 
We have used Guy's Astronomy, and Keith on the Globes, as a 
text-book, during the past year; it is in all respects such an one as was 
wanted, and we have no disposition to exchange it for any other with 
which we are acquainted. 

WM. G. MITCHELL. 
Lecturer on the Natural Sciences and Aatronomy, 
in Weslei/an Academy, Mass. 

New York, Dec. 18S4. 
We fully concur in the opinion above expressed. 



BERNARD THORNTON, 
HORACE COVELL, 
P. PERRINE, 
J. B, KIDUER, 
SOLOMON JENNER, 
JOSEPH M'KEEN, 
C. CARTER, 

LEONARD HAZELTINE, 
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, 
W. R. ADDINGTON, 
IIENRY SWORDS, 
J. M. ELY, 

A2 



W. M. SOMERVILLE, 
NORTON THAYER, 
THOMAS GILDERSLIEVE, 
MELANCTHON HOYT, 
THOMAS V FOWLER, 
JOSEPH GAlLE, 
SAMUEL GARDNER, 
WILLIAM FORREST, 
C. W. NICHOLS, 
THOMAS M'KEE, 
ADN. HEGEMA^f, 
G. VALE, 



C6 J 

BRIDGE'S ALGEBRA. 

A TREATISE ON THE ELEMENTS OF ALGE 
BRA. By Rev. B. Bridge, D.D. F.R.S., Fellow of St. 
Peter's College, Cambridtre, and late Professor of Ma 
themalics in the East India College, Herts. Revised and 
corrected from the eighth London edition. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

fn this work the hitherto ahsJract and difilciih science of Algebra is 
rimplified and illustrated so as to be attainable l)y the younger class of 
learners, and by those who have not the aid of a teacher. It is al- 
ready introduced into the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadel- 
phia; and the Western Universitv at Pitt-sbur?. It is also the text- 
book of Gummere's School at Burlington, and Friends' College at 
Ilaverford, and of a great number of the best schools throughout the 
Uiuted States. It is equally adapted to comnion sdiools and colleges. 

Philadelphia, March Ith, 1833. 
Bridge's Algebra is the text-book in the school under my care ; and 
I am better pleased with it than with any which 1 have heretofore 
used. The author is very clear in his explanations, and systematic in 
nis arrangement, and has succeeded in rcndermg a comparatively ab- 
struse branch of science, an agreeable and uiteresiiii!: exercise both to 
oupil and teacher. JOHN FUOS T. 

We fully concur in the opinion above expressed. 

CHAS IIDN.HY AI-DEN, JOSrPII WARRHN, 
J. OCONOR, Secretary lo rsA.MI,. CI.E.MJtMX, 

the I'hila. Association of S. H. REEVES. 

Teacliers. 

University of Pennsj/lvanla, March 30, 1833. 
Gentlemen — In compliance with your rei|uest that 1 would give 
you my opinion re.'<pe(ling your edition of Bridge's Algebra, I beg 
leave to say, that the wotii appears to be v\ell adapted to the instruc- 
tion of students. The arrangement of the several parts of the science 
is judicious, and the examples are numerous and well selected. 

Yours, respectfully, KOBKHT ADRAliN. 

We fully concur in the opinion of Bridge's Algebra as expressed by 
Dr. Adrain. 

J. HAYMER, R N. LEWIS, 

IUKJH MOltROW, .JOHN STOrivDAl.R, 

VVM. MoNAIN, \V. R. ROSE, 

OLIVER A. SHAW, ItEN.I. MAVO, 

SETII S.MITII, ^. H. BI.AIK, 

SA.ML. E. .lONES, THOS. .McAOAM, 

JNO M. KEAGY. Kev. SAML. W. CRAWTORD, 

TIIO.MAS CONK \D, Principal of A.a.ll. Uepl. ofthe 

TIIOS. C()LL1N.S, l!iiiversilv of IVnnsyivaiiia. 

.1. E. SLACK, .lOIlN ERftARDT, 

C. H. TREGO, K. \V. ClISJIMAN, 

J. n WALKER, Rrv .«?. M. tiAVUiY, Wllming 

.lOlIN ILVSLaM, ton, Del. 

W. CllRKAN, 



Baltimore, Dec. ia34. 
We fully concur in the opinion above expressed. 

E. BENNETT, O. W. TREADWELL, 

E. R. HARNEY, JOS. WALKER, 

ROBT. O'NEILL, UAVED RING, 

N. SPELMAN, ROBT. WALKER, 

S. W. ROSZELL, D. W. McCLELAN, 

SAMUEL IIUBBELL, S. A. DAVIS, 

H. O. WATTS, JOS. H. CLARKE, A.M. 

C. F. BANSEMER, FRANCIS WATERS, 

D. E. REESE, JOHN MAGEE, 
S. A. CLARKE, JViXCHL. POWER. 

Messrs. Key & Biddle, November 22, 1834. 

Gendemen — I have been highly gratified by an examinatioi. of 
" Bridge's Algebra," published by you ; and think it well entitled to 
general introduction in our schools. I shall give it a preference in my 
academy to any vv'ork I have seen. Respectfully, yours, 

J. H. BROWN, 
Principal of an English and Mathematical Academy, 
No. 52 Cherry-street, Ptiiladeiplda 
NeiD York, Dec. 1834. 
We fiiUy concur in the opinion above expressed. 

P. PERRINE, NORTON THAYER, 

J. B. KIDDER, THOMAS GILDERSLIEVE, 

SOLOMON .lENNER, MELANCTIION IIOYT, 

JOSEPH M'KEEN, THOMAS V. FOWLER, 

C. CARTER, JOSEPH BAILE, 

LEONARD HAZELTINE, SAMUEL GARDNER, 
W. R. ADDINGTON, C. W. NICHOI^, 

HENRY SWORDS, THOIVLAS M KEE. 

W. M. SOMERVILLE, 



TO TEACHERS OF FRENCH. 

L'ABEILLE POUR LES ENFANS, ou Lecons Fran- 
daises, lere Partie ; a I'usage des ecoles. 

Several compilations of short and interesting French tales have been lately 
offered to tlie public. In all of them, however, expressions are found, 
which, although familiar to the ear of a Frenchman, offend that of a care- 
fully educated American cliild. It is true that the French do not consider 
"Mon Dieu !" swearing; with them, it is equivalent to "Gracious!" or 
"Oh, dear!" but it is certainly desirable that the eye and the ear of the 
pupils of schools in this country should not become accustomed to such ex- 
pressions. They have therefore been carefully excluded from this little 
work, as well as every thing of an unchristian tendency. It is designed for 
the first reading book. The style is simple, the sentences short, and con- 
taining few idioms, inversions, or difficulties. At tHe end of each page is a 
translation of the idiomatic expressions it contains, and of the words used 
in an acceptation not given in the dictionary. 



IN PRESS, 
The follomng new and valnahle works for Schools and Academips, 
PINNOCKS IMPROVED EDITION OF DR. GOLDSIVTITH'S 
HISTORY OF GREECE, revisert corrected and very considerably 



[8] 

eiftarged, by the addition of several new chapters and numerous use- 
ful notes, with questions for examination, at the end of each section 
Revised from the twelfth London edition, with thirty engravings, by 
Aiherton. 

PINNOCK'S IMPROVED EDITION OF DR. GOLDSMITH'S 
lUSTORV OF ROME, to which is prefixed an Introduction to the 
study of Roman history, and a great variety of information throughout 
the work, on the Manners, Institutions, and Antiquities of the Romans, 
with questions for examination, at the end of each section. Revised 
Irom the twelfth London edition, with additions and improvements, 
with thirty engravings, by Atherton. 

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. K. & B. have in prepa- 
ration such a History of the United States as has been long and 
loudly called for by Teachers and Parents. It will be written by a 
gentleman very favourably known as an historian, who is ennnently 
capable of making a book that will, in every respect, satisfy the wants 
of the public. The style of getting up will be the same as Pin- 
nock's Goldsmith's England, which, the publishers are happy to say, 
has met wich the decided approbation of Teachers and Parents. 

SACRED HISTORY OF THE DELUGE, illustra'ed and cor- 
roborated by evidences derived from tradition, mythology, and ge- 
ology ^ adapted to courses ol Scripture Study, in colleges and higher 
seminaries, and to general use, by Francis Fellovies, A. M., with an 
Introductory Essay on the Study of the Scriptures as a part of liberal 
education. By the Rev. Chauncey Colton, A. M., President of Bristol 
College. 

A FAMILIAR INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF 
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, adapted to the use of schools. Fart 1 
comprising Mechanics, Hydraulics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, Acous 
tics, Pyronomics, Optics, Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism. With 
notes, references, questions for examination, and a copious index, by 
Walter R. Johnson, Professor of Mechanics and Natural Philosophy in 
the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. 

A FAMILIAR INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF 
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, adapted to the use of schools. Part 2, 
fonipri.sing Chemistry, Metallurgy, Mineralogy, Chrystallography, Ge- 
ology, Oryctollogy, and Meteorology. With notes, references, ques- 
tions for examination, ai.d a copious index, by Waller R. Johnson, 
Professor of Mechanic's and Natural Philosophy in the Franklin In- 
stitute of the State of Pennsylvania. 

MANUAL OF CLASSICAL LITERATURE, from the German 
of John J. Eschenburg. With additions, by Professor Fiske of Am- 
herst College. The work comprises four parts : — 1. The Archaeology 
of Greek and Roman Literature and Art. 2. The Greek and Roman 
Cla».sic Authors. 3. The Greek and Roman Mythology. 4. The Gr«ek 
and Roman Antiquities. 

AN ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH 
LANGUAGE, on a plan entirely new, by John Oswald. Revised and 
improved, and especially adapted to the purpose of teaching English 
Composition in schools and academies, bv J. M. Keagy. 



[9J 



THE SCIENTIFIC CLASS-BOOK 

THE SCIENTIFIC CLASS-BOOK ; OR, A FAMILIAR IN- 
TRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL 
SCIENCE, for the use of Schools and Academies, on the basis 
of Mr. J. M. Motlat. Part I. Comprising Mechanics, Hydrosta- 
tics, HydrauHcs, Pneumatics, Acoustics, Pyronomics, Optics, 
Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism. With Emendations, Notes, 
Questions for Examination, List of Works for Reference, some 
additional Illusti-ations, and an Index. By Walter R. Johnson, 
A.M., Professor of Mechanics and Natural Philosophy in the 
Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania, Member of 
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, one of the 
Vice-Presidents of the American Institute of Instruction, 

Messrs. Key & Biddlb, — - Philadelplda, June 22, 1S35. 

I have carefully examined your " Scientific Class-Book, Part I." and find 
it what has for some time been much wanted in our academies and high 
schools. The emendations, notes, and additional illustrations, are important, 
and what might be expected from one so perfectly at home, both theore- 
tically and practically, in the range of Natural Philosophy, as Mr. Johnson 
is extensively known to be. The list of works for reference will be appre- 
ciated by intelligent teachers. I have introduced it as a Text-Book, and 
commend it cordially to the notice and examination of others. 

CHARLES HENRY ALDEN, 
Principal of the Philadelphia High School for Young Ladies. 

I fully concur in the above. SAMUEL JONES. 

Philadelphia, Jiine'ii, 1S35. 
I fuUy concur with Mes.srs. Frost, Keagy, and Jones, in their opinion of 
Mr. Johnson's work on Natural Philosophy, and shall immediately adopt the 
book as the best I know of for use in my own and other schools, in this city, 
in which I give instruction. OLIVER A. .SHAW. 

We have examined Mr. Johnson's Scientific Class-Book, and are so well 
satisfied with its merits, that we shall adopt it as a class-book on Natural 
Philosophy in our school. S. C. & J. B. WALKER. 

Messrs. Key & Biddle, — Philadelphia, June 26, 1835. 

A careful examination of the treatise on Mechanical Philosophy, entitled 
"The Scientific Class-Book, Part 1." has satisfied me, that it is by far the 
most complete class-book, on that subject, which has yet fallen under my 
notice. The additions made by Professor Johnson, particularly the bibli- 
ographical notes, are not less creditable to his learning and sound judgment, 
than conducive to the utility of the work for the purposes of instruction. 
The volume mav be safely recommended as a standard class-book for 
schools and private students. JOHN FROST. 

Messrs. Key & BmDi.E, 

Genllemen :—\i is with much pleasure that I have examined "The Sci- 
entific Class-Book," on the basis of J. M. Moffat, Esq., by Walter R. John- 
Eon, A.M. It is such a work as the advancing state of education in this 
tountry particularly demands at the present time. I hope its use may 
tecome general. 

WItli regard, yours, J. H. BROWN. 



[10] 



Messrs. Key & Bidple, 

Uen'.kmcn :—\ liave to thank yr-ti for a copy of thn Scientific Class-Book, 
prepared by Professor Johiisuii, from the work of Moffat. I have beeo so 
inlerc'sled in tlie perusal of it, tli;it I feel almost incapacitated to speak criti- 
ca«y of its character : and yet this interest, perhaps, may speak its liighest 
praise. The exhibition of truth, in such a manner as to allure and reward 
attention with delight, even where the charm of novelty is wanting, is cer- 
tainly a rare merit in an elementary treatise on the Natural Sciences. The 
Scieniitic Class-Kook, however, is very far from being made up of stale 
categories. It embraces a surprising'amount of information respecting the 
most recent discoveries — information which will not be found in any other 
single work whatever. I would cordially recommend it as a book admirably 
adapted, by its fulness and simplicity, by its happy comoination of scientific 
accuracy, with a charming narrative sort of ease, at once to awaken the 
love ol knowledixe and to impart it. It will prove a most valuable work to 
our higher schools and academies, and to llie teachers of all oihers. 

Vours, truly, R. \V. CUSHMAN. 

Messrs. Key & Diddle, 6/A Month 23d, 1835. 

Gtnltsmen: — I have examined the first part of the Scientific Class- Book 
just published by you, and cheerfully express my oiiinion, that, for accuracy 
and comprehensiveness, this work contains a system of principles and illus- 
trations on the subject on which it treats, superior to any book of the same 
size and price intended for the use of schools. 

As this volume is the first of a series on the Mechanical and Physical 
Sciences, the public may confidently expect that the successive parts, when 
completed, will constitute a consistent set of treatises peculiarly adapted to 
the prcent wants of places of education. JOHN M. KEAGY. 

We cheerfully concur in opinion with the above recommendations. 

JO.S. P. ENGI,ES, WILLIAM MARRIOTT, 

HUGH MORROW, RIAL LAKE, 

WM. A. GARRIGUES, BEXJ. MAVO, 

M. SOIILE, JAMES P. ESPY, 

JACOB PEIRCE, Rev. SAML. W CRAWFORD, A.M., 

BENJ'N C. TUCKER, Principal of the Acadl. Dept. of the 

T. G. POTTS, University of Pennsylvania. 

WM. CURRAN, THOS. M. ADAM, 
9. BICKNF.LL, - CHARLES MEAD, 

). R. AS 1 1 TON, JAS. E. SLACK, 

?L. FOUSE, L. W. BURNET, 

D. FEUrr, WM. MANN, A. M. 

niOS. BALDWIN, CHAS. B TREGO, 

JOHN STOCKDALE, WM ROBERTS, 

URIAH KITCHEN, THOS. ('OLLINS, 

THOS. H. WILSON, SAML. CLENDENIN, 

SHKl'HEIll) A. REEVES, AUGUSTINE LUDINGTON, 

EH inUMARD, JNO. D. GRISCOM, 

WILLIAM MrNAIR, N.DODGE, 

jAMi;.-< ( ROWELL, JOHN HASLAM. 
J. O CONNOR, 

New York, July, l.SSS. 
Having examined the First Part of tl>e Scientific Class.Book, we feel jus- 
ified in concurring in the above favourable recoinmond.itions. 

EDW. D. BARRY, DAVID SCIMI'ER, 

J. M. ELV, F. A STKHKIEH. 

JOSEPH McKEEN, CHARLES W NICHOLS, 

JONATHAN B KIDDER, THOMAS .McKEE, 

PATRICK S CA.-^SADY, G. 1. HOPPER, 

WM R. ADDINGTON, J, B. PECK, 

RUFUS LOCKWOOD, S. JENNER. 

NORTON THAVER, RICHARD j. SMITH. 
JOHN OAKLEY, 



[11] 

JProOT Alexander D. Bache, A.M., Professor of Natural Philosophy and 

Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania. 
Messrs. Key & Biddlb, — 

Gentlemen : — I have examined, with much pleasure, tlie first part of the 
"Scientific Class-Book." The additions of the American editor appear to 
me to have well adapted the book for use in schools and academies. 
Its utility to the general reader has no doubt been increased by the same 
labours. Very respectfully, yours, 

September 16, 1835. A. D. BACIIE. 

From S. Jones, A.M., Principal of Mathematical and Classical Institute. 

I regard " Guy's Elements of Astronomy," and "Keith on the Globes," 
as the best bool? of the Icind which 1 have examined, and feel a confidence 
that the price of the worli, the beautiful and appropriate illustrations, and 
the handsoiue and correct manner in which the treatises have b^en exe- 
cuted by the publishers and editor, as well as their intrinsic merit, will 
commend them to every parent and teaclier. 

Philadelphia, July 21, 1835. S. JONES. 

We cordially concur in the recommendation of Messrs. Key & Biddlo's 
edition of Guy and Keith. 

REV. DAVID R. AUSTIN, A.M., 
Principal ofMonson Academy, Monson, Mass., September 21, 1835. 
T. L. WRIGHT, 
Principal of East Hartford Classical a7id English School, East Hartford, 
September 23, 1835. 

From Simeon Hart,jun., A.M., for several years Principal of Farming- 
ton Academy, Connecticut. 
Messrs. Key & Biddle, — 

I have examined, with considerable attention, " Bridge's Treatise on the 
Elements of Alsebra," and am so favourably impressed with its excellence, 
that I have introduced it into my school as one of the textbooks to be used 
by students in algebra. 

I have also e.xaininedj with much pleasure, " the Scientific ClassBook, or 
a familiar Introduction to the Principles of Physical Science," and would 
say, in the words of the closing pai'agraph of tlie preface, "that whatever 
merit may be claimed for other treatises on tlie same departments in science, 
this, it is confidently anticipated, will be found to embrace as fu'l and satis- 
factory a view of the subjects on whicli it treats, as any similar compilation 
which has hitherto been dedicated to the service of American youth." 

An examination of "Guy's Astronomy," and "Keith on the Globes," has 
resulted in the conviction, that they may be safely recommended to parents 
and teachers as works well calculated to interest and instruct the intelli- 
gent scholar. 

Pmnork's improved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's "Abridgment of the His- 
tory of Rome," and his improved edition of the " History of England," are 
works which need only to be known to be admired, as well adapted to the 
wants of schools and academies in this country. 

Respectfully yours, SIMEON HART, JcN. 

Farmington, Conn., September 4, 1835. 

From Rev. Dr. Cornelius D. Weslbroo/c, Principal of a Female School, 
New Brunswick, New Jersey. 

I have examined Pinnoek's improved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's "History 
of England," by Key & Biddle of Philadelphia, and I do most cheerfully 
recommend it to teacliers of scliools and academies as the best arraii"^ 
ipeut of that very popular school book I have ever seer 

Ifttg Brunswick, August 1, 1835 



[12] 



I most cordially join vrilh Dr. Westbrook in his opinion of Pinnock's 
Goldsmith's England. 

REV. DAVm R. AUSTIN, A.M., 
Principal of Monson Academy, Motison, Mass., September 21, 1835. 

Frcm T. L. Wright, A.M., Principal of East Hartford Classical and 
English School. 

I very cheerfully concur with S. Jones, A.M., Principal of the Classical 
and Mathematical Institute, relative to "Pinnock's England ;" and with Dr. 
Adrain in his opinion expressed of " Bridge's Algebra." " Pinnock's 
Rome," I regard as well adapted to the use of schools and private reading. 

East Hartford, September 23, 1835. 

From Rev. C. D. Westbrook, D.D., Teacher, New Jersey. 

I have examined Key & Biddle's edition of "Guy's Elements of Astro- 
nomy," and "An Abridgment of Keith's Treatise on the Globes." Keith 
on the use of the globes is too well known to need any recommendation; 
and " Guy's Astronomy" will recommend itself to any one who wishes to 
introduce' to his scholars, or to his childien, (he interesting and sublime 
9' ady of astronomy. CORNELIUS D. WESTBROOK. 

NetD Brunswick, August 1, 1835. 

FromN. W. Fiske, A.M., V. D.M., Professor, Amherst College, Mass. 
Messrs. Key & Biddlg, — 

Oenllemen: — With irreat satisfaction, I have examined your editions of 
" Pinnock's Goldsmith's Rome" and "England." They arc executed in a 
very convenient and attractive form, and are works which may be confi- 
dently recommended for use in all our schools and academies. 

The "Scientific Class- Book" appears to me, judging from the portions I 
have yet lounu time to read, a very excellent work. A vast amount of the 
most interesting and valuable knowledge is brought into a small compass, 
and is generally presented in a very clear and liappy method. I hope it 
will obtain extensive circulation, as I know of nothing better adapted for 
C'launon instruction in the sciences which are treated in the part I have 
seen. Very respectfully, I am yours, 

September 2\, 1835. N. W. FISKE. 

In the opinion expressed by Professor Fiske, respecting the " Scientific 
Class-Book. Part I." 1 can most cheerfully concur. 

E. S. SNELL, A.M., 
Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, in Amhejst College, 

Massachusetts. 

From Rev. David R. Austin, A.M., Principal of Monson Academy. 
I fully agree with Professors Fiske i.n(I Snell, in regard to the " Scientific 
Class- Book," and shall adopt it in the institution of which I have the charge 

D. R. AUSTIN. 
I concur with Professor Fiske, and numerous others, in relation to " Pin 
nock's Uonie." D. R. AUSTIN. 

Monson, Septemt -.r 2i, IS35. 

SitmuelJones, A.M.. of Phi.adelphia, says of Bridge's Algebra: — "Th 
lucid style of investigating subjects pursued by Professor Bridge in his 
•Conic Sections,' and oilier worlis, is found conunenced here : the arrange- 
ment is inethoilical and good, and I can unhesitaiinsly recommend it as well 
worthy of the places of the ill-digested compilations used in many schools." 
We cordially loin with Mr. Jones in his opinion of Kev & Biddle's edition 
of " Bridge's Algebra." II.' S. AUSTIN. 

J. M. MOORE, 
J. CROWLEY, A.B. 



[13] 



1 can unhesitatingly subsnribe to tlie numerous comrnendations ol 
"Bridge's Algebra." DAVID K. AUSTIN, 

Principal of Monsun Academy, Massachuidtta 

Tke New J'irsey Journal, printed August 25, 1835, at Elizabethtown, N. J. 
remarks of all these works : — 
"To bo appreciated, these books require only to be known. We most 
cordially recommend them to teachers and parents. As long as their enter- 
prising publishers publish such books, and in sucn taste, they cannot fail to 
meet with encouragement." 

From J. G. De Soter, 3I.A., Professor of French, Spanish, a7id Italian, 
Philadeipliia. 
I have examined "L'Abcille pour les Enfans," published by Messrs. Key 
and Bidale of this city, and am so much pleaseil with the pure and chaste 
style of the selection', that I shall use it in my instruction with the younger 
pupils. J. G. DE SOTER. 

Rev. S. North, A.M., Professor of Languages, Hamilton College, writes 
to the publishers of these Histories : — 

"After an attentive examination of Goldsmith's Histories of Rome and 
England, with notes and other additions by Pinnock, it gives me pleasure to 
say, that I think them the best editions of those deservedly popular works 
which have yet been published." He adds also — " From a cursory exa:ni- 
uation of ' Bridge's Algebra,' 'The Scientific Class-Book,' and 'Guy's As- 
tronomy,' they appear to me to be well fitted to facilitate the progress of 
students in tlie respective sciences of which they treat." 

Clinton, Oneida Co., N. Y., September 28, 1835. S. NORTH. 

From W. "H. Scram, Prin,cipal c^ a Select Classical and English Academy, 

Troy, New York. 
Messrs. Key «fe Biddle, — 

I have examined the edition of "Goldsmith's England," prepared by 
Pinnock for the use of schools, and published by you. Also, your editions 
of " Bridge's Algebra," " Guy's Astronomy," "Keith on the Giobes," and 
the " Scientific Class Book, Part I." and consider them worthy the attention 
of teachers of select schools and academies. I shall introduce them into 
my school as soon as practicable. 

Yours respectfully, W. H. SCRAM, A.M. 

Having partially examined the above work, we feel no hesitation in adding 
our names to the recommendations alreaiy obtained from gentlemen in 
whose honesty and capability we have the utmost confidence. 

A. CLARKE, 
JOS. H. CLARKE. 
We fully concur in the above recommendation. 

A. B. CLEVELAND, S. P. SKINNER, 

K. DINSMOKE, C. H. ROBERTSON, 

JAMES WILKESON, "i ROBERT WALKER, 

WM HAMIITON, / S. CLARK, 

DAVID RING, f JAMES E. SEARLEY, 

JAMES SHANLEY, ( E RHODES HARNEY, 

E. VEATES REESE, \ ROBT. O'NEILL, 

N. SPELMAN. J M. POWER, 

B. WALSH, JNO. PRRNTISS, 
PARDON D.\V1S, EDWARD S. EBBS, 
SAAIUEL HUBBELL, MICHAEL TONER. 
O. W. TREADWELL, 

Having examined Piimock's improved edition of Dr. Goldsmith's History 
of Rome, 1 unhesitatingly say, that the style and elegance of the language, 



[14] 



the arrangement of the chapteri-, ancJ ilie questions for examination, render 
it, :n my i;siiiiialion, a iudsi valuable school book : — I iherelore most cheer- 
fu"y recommeri<l it to teachers, ami do confidently trust that it 'vill find an 
extensive inlrod'jclion into the schools of cur country. 
Biillunore, September '^, li>35. JAS. F. GOLXD. 



We fully concur in the above recomineuilation. 



S. P. SKINNER, 
C. H. IIOUERTSON, 
ROirr. W.U.Klill, 
VVM. flAMILTON, 
DAVID KiNG, 
JAMES [•:. SEARLEY, 
S.Ml.. ROZEL, 
E. VEATES REESE, 
N. SfELMAN, 

8. w\i,sn, 

PARDON DAVIS 
SAMHEI- MUIMiEI.I^ 
O. W TREAUWELL, 



A. DINSMORE, 
JAMES WII.KESON, 
J(JS, fl. Cl.AKKE, 
S. A. fJf.AKKE, 
JOSEPH WALKER, 
JA.Vi:S SIIANI.EV, 
E. RHODES JIARNEY, 
ROUT. O'NEIL, 
MICHAEL POWER, 
JNO. PRENTI.SS. 
FDWAIil) S. EBKS, 
MICHAEL TONER. 



Prcyn Samttel Jones, A.M.. Pyincipal of the Classical and Mathematical 
Institute, Philadelji/tia. 
A writer of so honourable a popularity as Dr. Goldsmith, for all the 
graces of an elegant, polished, and pure style, and whose histories have 
been so long and so e.tlen.'yvely useful to youth, certainly needs no enco- 
mium. It may be abided, however, for the information of those teachers 
who are not acquainted with the improvements of Pinneck, ttiat he has 
been for some time eminent in Enjjland for valuable addiiions to school 
books. Of the edition of Rome, by Messrs. Key &. Riddle of this city, "it ia 
believed that it will be fmnd superior, in the manner of "jietiing lip," to 
any yet piblished in this country; while its attractive appearance and 
mechanical execution lead me not only to hope, but contidenlly expect, that 
they will receive a liberal return for their investment. 

- "- SAMUEL JONES. 



Philadelphia, Seplci/ihcr lo, 1335 

We fully concur in the above. 

THOMAS BALDWIN, 

D. MAfJENIS. Trnihpmf Elocution. 

WM. A. OARIUCUKS, 

CllAULES HENKV ALUEN, 

WILLIVM .MARRIOTT, 

THOMAS CONARD, 

U. KITCHEN, 

SETH SMITH, 

J. I) (.Ul.ACO.M. 

AUCU.sTlNE HIDINfiTON, 

CHAS I!. IIJKCO. 

THOMAS EII.STACE, 

J. H. IIKOWN, 

JOHN STEEL, 

T. o. I'orrs. 

JOHN P ENGLEi?, 
WILLIAM MANN, 
I,. W. HI Ml NET. 
JIUCH MORROW, 
JOHN Ei;sr\(^E, 
M. A. CRITTENDEN. Principal of a 
Yotiii^ Latlir.s' Heminaru, PItila. 
F M. LUBRREN, 



SHEPHERD A. REEVES, 
JOHN HASLAM, 
EL. EOIJSE, 
OLIVER A SHAW, 
M. L. lU'RLIiERT, 
RIAL LAKE, 
BENJAMIN MAYO, 
WILLIAM MNAIU, 
O K EROST. 
S\ML. CLENDENIN, 
TIIOS COLLINS, 
J O'CONNOR, 
JNO. STOCKDALE, 
D. R. ASIITON. 
BENJAMIN C Tt'CKER, 
JAMK-: (KOWELL, 
RICIIAltD M CUNNEY, 
JAMi;s K SI.XCK, 
CIIAULKS MEAD, 
E H mniBAKD, 
V. VALUE, 
EDWARD POOLE. 



[15 J 



Frum Thcodure Strong, LL.D., Professor of Malhematics m Jiutger's 

College, Neip Jersey. 
Messrs. Key & I!iddle, — 

Gentlp/nen: — I am much obliged to you for the copies of the "Scientific 
ClassBDok, Pari I." and " Bridges' Algebra." In compliance with yonr 
refjiJt'sl, that 1 should give my opinion of their merits, 1 observed that from 
a cursory examination I have been led to form a favourable opinion of Ihem. 
The subjects treated of (in the " Class- Book") appear to be discussed in a 
Very clear and able manner. Besides, there are several important subjects 
(such as pyronymics, electro-magnetism, &c.) introduced, which aie not 
usually treated of in works of tiiis kind. The Algebra is written in a very 
perspicuous stvle, and the subjects investigated appfar to be ably handle il 
Yours res])ectfully, THEODORE STRONfJ 

JVew Brunswick, July 27, 18.35. 

From C. IL Anthony, Principal of Troy Practical School. 

I have examined "L'Aheille pour lesEnfans," " Bridge's Algebra," athJ 
"Scientific ClassBook, Part I.," the books lately pul)lished by Messrs^ 
Key & Biddle, and Ihink them superior to most other works on the subjects 
on which they severally treat. So high an opinion have I of their utility, 
that i shall endeavour to introduce them into niy school as text-books. 

C. II. ANTHONY 

Troy, New York, July 30, 1835. 

From A. B. Myers, B.A., Principal of Wldtehall Academy. 
Messrs. Key <fc Biddi.e, — 

Ge?if/e!«e7i.-— Ibavebeen much pleased by an examination of "Piunock's 
History of England," " Guy's Astronomy." "Keith on the Globes," anJ 
the "Scientific Class-Book," together with "Bridge's Algebra." I think 
them all well entitled to a general introduction into our schools. I cheer- 
fully give them the preference to any other books of the kind that have 
fallen into my hand. 

Yours, &c. A. B. MYEKS. 

Wliilehall, Neio York, \mb. 

From G. W. Fraticis, A.M., Principal of a Select School, Troy, N. Y. 
Messrs. Key & Biddije, — 

Gentlemen : — I have formed so favoiu'able an oj)inion of "Briilge's Alge- 
bra," ".Johnson's Scientific Class- Book," and " Pinnock's Goldsmith's 
Rome," publisheil by you, that I pirpose to introduce them into my school 
as soon as practicable. 

Yours, G. \V FRANCIS. 

Troy. July 29. 1S33. 

Geneva College, N. Y., \st Dee. 1835. 
Messrs. Ket & Biddle, — 

Gentlemen: — A few weeks since your agent desired my opinion as to the 
merits of "Pinnock's Goldsmith's England," "Pinnock's (Joldsmith's Rome," 
"Guy's Astronomy," and the "Scienlitic Class-book, Part First." I have 
cursorily examined each, as requested, and have formed the following 
opinion, viz. : — 

Pinnock's Goldsmith's England and Pinnock's Goldsmith's Rome are 
works of great merit ; are well adapted to ensure the objects intended, and 
cught to be extensively used in all the schools in the country. 

Guy's Astronomy contains all that is necessary on that subject for ele- 
mentary mstruction ; more is not desirable in the absence of demonstrative 
reasoning, which cannot be advantageously employed without previous 
thorough mathematical preparation. 

The Scientific Class-book, Part First, is the best work of the kind with 
■which I am accpiamted. If the learned author executes the second part with 
the same juilgment and ability as be has the tirst part, this treatise will 
deserve, and no doubt receive very extensive patronage. 

Very respectfully yours. &c., 

HORACE WEBSTER. 



[16] 



From John M. Keagy, M.D., Principal of Friends^ Academy, Philadelphia. 
Pinnock's edition of "Goldsmith's Rome" has several very useful addi- 
tions; the one an introduction, conlnining an abridsied viiw of Roman 
Geography and Aniiquilics, and the other a very appn.priaie extension of 
Roman liistory lo the subjugation of the Empire by llie Northern Uarbarians. 
This improved edition of ''Goldsmith's Rome" will, no doubt, retain its 
place in our schools as one of the best abridgments of the history of that 
interesting people. 

JNO. M. KEAGY. 

From J. M'Intyre, English and Classical Teacher, Philadelphia. 

Pinnock's edition of "Goldsmith's Rome" is, in my opinion, superior to 
any other: the introductory chapters contain much information new and 
interesting, and present a favourable specimen of the editor's historical 
powers. To speak of Goldsmith's style is unnecessary : but of the style 
of the present editor, we may state, that it is eminently chaste, and little 
deficient either in purity or precision ; it is dignified, yet not stiff; concise 
and strong, without roughness or obscurity. 

Pine Street, October 9, 1835. 

Messrs. Key ifc Diddle, — 

Gentlemen : — I have perused, with much interest, the "Scientific Class- 
Book," edited by Professor Johnson. Allow me to unite my acknowledg- 
ments, with those of other teachers, for so valuable an aid to the business 
of instruction. The whole work forms the most clear, exact, and compre- 
hensive elementary treatise that I have seen on the subjects which it 
embraces. The value of the work is still farther enhanced as the produc- 
tion of one long familiar with the topics on which it treats, and thoroughly 
versed in the mode of presenting them to the mind, in the various forms 
of practical instruction. 

Yours, &c. - WILLIAM RUSSELL. 

Philadelphia, October 6, 1835. 

From Mr. Myers, A.B., of Vermont. 
Gentlemen: — I think your school-books should be inlrodiiced into all our 
schools as soon as possible. They are just the books which have long been 
needed, and the sooner they are brought into use the better. 

Yours, &c. ALLEN B. Ml'ERS. 

From a communication to the Norwich Courier of October 14th, 1835, by the 
Rev. John Storrs, Principal of the Norwich Feinale Academy, the fol- 
lowing extracts are taken : — 

First — The first excellence of this work ("The Scientific Class-Book") is 
the simplicity of style in which it is composed. Secondly — The tamiliarity 
of its illustrations is another excellency. Thirdly — Connected with this is 
an abundance and variety of illustration ; so that the subjects presented are 
brought to the understanding of the most obtuse intellects. Fourthly — 
Another excellency of the work is a due regard to brevity ; which cannot 
be said of all books treating of the sciences. Fifthly — In this book is 
gathered a large amount of practical knowledge. Hence men in practical 
life will find in it much valuable information, and many sensible hints. On 
account of these excellencies I can most cheerfully recommend the work 
to your readers. 
Norwich, Conn., October 13, 1835. JOHN STORRS. 

Messrs. Key &. Hiddle, — 

Gentlemen: — "Goldsmith's History of England," as corrected and ar 
ranged in your recent edition, is, in my opinion, the best book on its subject 
which can be put into the hands of young persons. The style of the origi- 
nal work has an attractive charm in'lhe ease and fluency of the narrative 



[17] 



It is a pleasing model of composition, and furnishes excellent matter for the 
exercises of roatllnjj- As a book of history, however, it needed revision 
and emendation. These it has undergone, to the best advantage, in its 
present form ; the American editor having used every exertion to render 
It an acceptable and uscl'ul class-boolt. 

1 am, gentlemen yours, with much respect, 
Philadelphia, 7tk Uctubei; ISiij. WILLIAM RUSSELL. 

Messrs. Key &■ Riddle, — 

Gentlemen :- -I have availed myself, with much satisfaction, of the useful 
volume comprising " Guy's Aslroiio'iiy" and " Keitli's Treatise on the 
Globes." Tlie former, in its original sliape, was one cf the best elementary 
books of its kind ; and the great extent of the latter v/as the only obstacle 
to its universal use. The solo form in which it coidd be used with young 
learners, was by the transcription of the most important parts of it. To 
one accustomed to use it in this way, for successive years, your excellent 
Bclection was a most valuable and welcome substitute. 

The volume embracing these two indispensable works forms one of the 
most compact and economical school-books which the American press has 
furnished. I am, gentlemen, yours resprctfnlly, 

Philadelphia, 7th Oclober, 1835. VVILLL\M RUSSELL. 

"Guy's Elements of Astronomy" has now been before the puhlic nearly 
twenty yar*. During that period, the improvements in this popular trea- 
tise have Kept pace with the great improvenients in the science itself, and 
In the modes of teaching it. It is now, I believe, recognised througtiont the 
United Slates, and in England, as one among the best class-books in this 
branch of Natural Philosophy which we have in our language. It is some 
evidence of this, that one of the most popular treatises on the same subject, 
since published in England, and two others in this country, are chiefly but 
transcripts from Guy. 

" Keith on the Globes," as now adapted to our schools, is perhaps unequal- 
led by any similar work ; and the union of these two in one volume of mode- 
rate size, was a fortunate arrangement, and has supplied a great desidera- 
tum to the cause of education, lor which the publishers are entitled to ii'uclj 
commendation. E. H. KURRITf. 

New Britain, Conn-, Dec. 7, 1S35. 

Professor Johnson has rendered the public an invah able sers-ice in his 
"Scientific Class-book.'' It is a treasure of useful knowledge, happily adapted 
not only to the wants of the student, but not less so to the general reader. 
There is so much intrinsic merit in this volume, so much of what every 
youth of every grade in the country shruld, in some sense, be familiar with, 
that I am sure it needs only to be known to ensure it a wide circulation. 
Aside from its jieculiar merit as a class-book for the higher schools, I would 
Rf y to every young man in the United States, about to engage in the business 
of life. Let llie Scientijic Cl-ass book be your constant companion. 

New Britain, Conn., Dec. 7, 1835. E. II. liURRITT. 

I have long been acquainted with Mr. Bridge's larger system of Algebra, 
and am gratified that an author so competent to the ta.*k has furnished an 
elementary treatise for junior [lupils. Tliis is so simple, clear, and well- 
arranged, as to niace the acquisition of this very essential iiranch of Mathe- 
matics within the reach even of commoii schools. The importance, in such 
a work, of groat perspicuity in the rules and examples ; of explaining clearly 
and familiarly the dependence and connexion between each successive step, 
and thus conducting the learner, by easy gradations, from the first princi- 
ple.'* of a simple equation to the investigation of tlie higher analysis, appears 
to have been fullv understood and iluly appreciated by llie author of this 
valuable elementary treatise on Algebra. E. H. BURRITT, A.M. 

,r _ r>--#.;,. /"»«.. rir.^ 7 iQ-ir.. ^uttior of the Geosrapfiy of the Heavens. 

^<■.lC Britain, Cunn., Dec. 7, XS-io. ^^ Familiar ClcJt-booh of Adrono,!^ 



[18] 



From Rev. W. C. Fotcler, A.M., C.A.S., Professor Middlebury College, 
Vermont. 

The "Scientific Class-book" is admirably adapted to the use of high 
schools and academies, as an introduction to the principles of physical 
science. It is neither a meagre sketch on the one hand, nor on the other 
is it overloaded with facts. The princinles are distinctly announced, and 
the illustrations and proofs are interest...^ and satisfactory. 

"Goldsmith's Rome" and "Goldsmith's England," coming from one who 
" adorned every thing that he touched," necffed only what has been done 
by Pinnock to make them as well suited to the purposes of class-books in 
academies, as they were before to general reading. 

"Guy's Astronomy" and "Keith on the Globes," two in one, are excel- 
lent for unfolding a science in which, from the grandeur of the objects pre- 
sented, every youth and every man must feel a strong curiosity and a deep 
interest WILLIAM C. FOWLER, 

Professor of Chemistry. 

From Rev. David R. Austin, A.M. Principal of Monson Academy, 
Mffn-ton, Mass. 
" Bridge's Algebra" has been adopted as a text-book in Monson Academy, 
and I can state, with the utmost confidence, that it is superior to any work 
of the kind within my knowledge. The arrangement is methodical, the 
statement of principles clear and concise. The pupils arc uniformly pleased 
with it, and their progress greatly facilitated. D. R. AUSTIN. 

Jan. 19, lS3tj. 
The "Scientific Class-book" has been introduced into Monson Academy, 
and T do not hesitate to say that this book far e.\ceeds any elementary trea- 
tise upon similar subjects which I have seen. This work deserves the 
patronage of the public ; and I can cordially recommend it as a suitable book 
to introduce into common schools and academies throughout the land. 
Jan. 19, 1836. D. R. AUSTIN. 

From the Misses Barnard. 
We have looked through your little volume of " Sacred History," and are 
very much pleased with it We have long felt the deficiency of our pupils 
in tMs branch of education, and are happy to introduce to their notice a 
work so well worthy their attention as is yours, in the humbl'^ opinion of 

MIS.SES B.VRNARD. 
Messrs. Key & Biddlb, Philadelphia, Aug. 1st, 1835. 

Gentleynen — 1 have examined Pinnock's improved edition of Dr. Gold- 
smith's abridgement of the "History of Rome," and consider it eminently 
adapted to the use of schools, academies, and private students. The intro- 
ductory chapters elucidate clearly and forcibly the manners, customs, 
laws, religious and civil institutinns of the Romans; and form a valuable 
prelude to the history of a state which, from obscure and feeble origin, ex- 
tended its arts and arms over every known habitable spot of earth. 
With my best wishes for the success of your many useful publications, 
I am, respectfully, yours, 

WM. ROBERTS, 
TtMhar of Young Ladies' SciniVmry, A'o. 133 Lmnbard itmL 

From Rev. Mr. Noble, Teacher of a S^Aect Boarding-school, Bridgeport, 

Conn. 
To Messrs. Key <fc BiDDt.E, 

Gentlemen — I have to acknowledge the favour of several very neat vo- 
lumes, adapted to the instruction of the higher chsses in our schools. I have 
examined some of them with care ; and as an evidence of the very favour- 
able, opinion which 1 have formed of tnem, I need only add that I have 
adopteil Guy's Astronomy, Bridge's Alaebra, and Pinnock's Histories, as 
regular cla.ss-books. Very respectfully, yours, 4c 

January 29, 1836. B. G. NOBLE 



[ 19] 



From Rev. Charles Henry Aldfn, M.A., Principal of Philadelphia High 
School for Young Ladies, No. 8, Franklin Row. 

1 have used in my school, willi success, for the last two years, the "Out- 
lines of Sacred Ilislory," of wliich you have lately published an edition. I 
observe with pleasure the improved style and dress of the edition issued 
from your press. 

Precedence must bo given, on examination, to Pinnock's improved edition 
of Dr. Goldsmith's "History of Greece" as a cla.-^s-book, to any otiier extant 
on the same subject. The introductory chapters on "the causes that 
operated in forminff the nation and character" of the Greeks, and the con- 
cluding ones, giving "some account of Grecian Literature and Philosophy," 
is an invaluable addition to the text of Dr. Goldsmith. Though, what of 
doubtful authority, and sometimes of exceptional language in the original, 
is very properly left out in this edition, the unrivalled beauty of Dr. Gold- 
smith's composition remains imcorrupted. Among other commendations, 
I vjfould mention the accentuation of all the proper names, and the thirty 
engravings on wood. As it is, it cannot fail to be a popular textbook. 

February 14, 1836. 

From J. O' Conner, Teacher, Philadelphia. 
I have examined with considerable attention and satisfaction, "Pinnock'g 
Goldsmith's Greece" and "The Outlines of Sacred History." They are in 
every respect precisely such books as we have long needed in our schools 
as well as families. 

Fro7n Charles Henry Alden, A.M., Teacher, Philadelphia. 
Messrs Key & Biddlb, 

Tlie surest lest of the excellence of a book, — its extensive adoption and 
use, — has been applied, and successfully, to the "Scientific Class-book, 
Parti;" and the success of ''Part II.," which you have just published, is 
therefore not to be doubted. Given to the public under the supervision of 
the same accredited .scholar as the former volume ; enriched by additional 
illustrations; in many places emended, and containing a valuable list of 
bibliographical notices, it can, with propriety, be commended to the use of 
schools and academies, as well as to private families, as a most valuable 
manual. The treatise on Chemistry, though necessarily very short, em- 
braces a perfect outline of the science, and contains the most recent disco- 
veries. The tracts on Metallurgy, Mineralogy, Crystallography, Geology, 
Oryctology, and Meteorology, are nowhere more lucidly and attractively 
explained. This volume ought to accompany Part I., wherever that ia 
adopted ; in'leed, in my opinion, it is more deserving of public favour. 

The style and execution of the "Scientific Class-book, Part U." as a pro- 
duction of your press, is highly creditable. 

February 1(5 ISofi. 

From Rev. S. B. How, D.D., late President t of Dickinson College; and 

Rev. Dr. Wrsthrook, Principal of Female Seminary, and Rector of 

Rutgers' College Grammar School. 
Messrs Kev & Biddle, 

Gentlemen,— We have examined Pinnock's improved editions of Gold- 
smith's "Histories of Rome, and of England;" and consider them as deci 
dedly the best editions of those works which we have ever seen. Of the 
original hi.^tories of Dr. Goldsmilh, it is mmecessary to speak, since they 
are generally known. The additional matter, however, wliich Pinnock has 
introduced into his editions, is alike interesting and instructive, and adds 
much to the value of the histories. 

Wo have been able to give to the " Outlines of Sacred History" only a cur 
sory e.xaminaiion, but that examination has given us a strong impression in 
its favour. It contains a large amount of valuable information, and is well 
adapted to aid youth in the intelligent reading of the Holy Scriptures, and to 
show them, as the author has well expressed the sentiment, "That in the 
Son jf God both Testaments find their completion ; thft Old proclaiming his 



[20] 



future advent ; the New detailing the blessings with which that advent waj 
fraught." We have placed the book in the hands of our own children, and 
cordially wish it a speedy and extensive introduction into families and 
schools. 

"Guy's Astronomy" and "Keith on the Globes," are e.xcellcnt elemen- 
tary works on the subjects of which they treat, and are well adapted for the 
use of schools. The "Scientific Class-Fxjok" contains a large amount of 
valuable matter belonging to the physical sciences, exhibited in a manner, 
which, while it instructs, also mterests and gratifies. The numerous facts 
and experiments which it records are calculated to awaken attention, and 
to fasten in the mind the remembrance of tlie principles which they are 
designed to establish and illustrate. A cursory examination of " Biidge'8 
Algebra" has impressed us with the belief that it is distinguished for clear- 
ness of explanation and judiciousness of arrangement, so as much to facili- 
tate the acquisition of a knowlrdge of that science. 

"The American Speaker" and the "Lecons Franfais," contain judicious 
selections from the writings of dilTerent authors, and are well adapted to the 
use of our schools. 

New Brunsicivk, Fehmury 17, 1833. 

From B. F. Joslin, M.D., Professor, Union College, N. Y. 

Gentlemen, — I am pleased with the style in which your books are got up. 
The volume which comprises "Guy's Astronomy" and "Keith on the 
Globes," is, so far as I have examined it, correct, judicious, and interesting. 
It must prove very acceptable to the pupils of academies and female semi- 
naries. Tlie number and neatness of the plates in Guy's Astronomy, give 
it additional attractions, whilst this abriilgmcnt of Keith will aflford a great 
number of interesting exercises to tliose who have access to artificial 
globes. 

Pinnock's edition of Goldsmith's "Rome and England," are highly inte- 
resting abridgements, containing a judiciou? selection of the leading facts in 
civil history, without excluding those biographical details which are still 
more attractive to the majority ot readers. 

Schenectady, Fcbruaiy 10, 1S3G. 

From George B. Glendining, Principal of a Select School for Young 
Ladies, Troy, New York. 

After a careful examination of Pjnnock's "Goldsmith's England," Pin- 
nock's "Goldsmith's Home," "Guy's Astronomy," an<l "Scientific C';ass- 
bnok, Part 1," I have no hesitalion to stale that I am decidedly impressed 
with th-Ar excellenc ■;, and their superiority over every other work of the 
kind ; indeed, thro^^nout the whole course of my experience as a teacher, 
I have never found bociks treating on those subiecfs, better adapted to the 
use of schools. I shall introduce them into my school immediately, and use 
my influence to cause their introduction into the schools of my friends, 
being well convinced that they only require a candid examination to ensure 
a large share of pubhc patronage. 

Fehruary 13, 1336. 
From J. P. Brace, A.M., Principal of Hartford Female Academy. 
Messrs. Key <fc ninnr,B, 

Gentlemen, — Permit me to say to you that I think all of your works are 
well adapted to our schools and academies, from the character of their con- 
tents, the ability with which their subjects have been treated, and the 
exceeding neatness and accuracy with which they have been printed. I 
have already made nnich use of your histories in the classes in my seminary. 

February 11, 1636. 

From Mr. J. IT. Brown, Teacher, Philadelphia. 

The "Scientific (/'lass-book, Part I.," meets my entire approbation, as I 

have before stated ; the present volume (Part 11.) increases my estimation 

of the work : as a whole, I think it superior to any work with which I am 

acquainted. "The Outlines of Sacred Hittory" is a desirabb; work, and 



[21 ] 



the events well selected for an outline. " Piiinock's Greece" will rank Jn 
point of merit witii liis former works, and will be valued wherever known. 

February 18, llSjG. 

From Wm. Curran, A.B., Principal of a Classical Seminary, Phila. 
Pinnock's improved editions of Goldsmith's "History of England," 
"Greece," and "Rome," are well adapted to the purposes for whidi tliey 
are designed. Tlie " Outlmes of Sacred History" relate to a subject. — the 
knowledge of the sacred Scriptures — which every Christian will rejoice to 
study, and every friend of sound learning and good order will desire to 
see extended llirougli every gradation of society. I look with apjirohation 
on every attempt wliich favours this object, and am inclined to believe that 
this little work will prove an auxiliary to the increase of ihis knowledge 
among youth. Ttie "Scientific Class-book," Parts I. and II., are, in my 
e.stunation, of so much excellence, with regard to the number of subjects 
iutioduced, and the manner in which they are treated, as well as the amount 
of matter contained in them, that I am decidedly of opinion, they far exceed 
any two works of similar character and for similar purpose that have ever 
fallen under my notice. 

February lb, 1836. 

From S. French, Principal of a Select Boarding-school for Boys, Neio 
Haven, Connecticut. 

I have given your school-books an examination, from which I get a very 
favourable impression ; the " Scientific Class-book" in particular seeras to 
be exactly what ivas wanted in this department. The testimony of their 
excellence attached to them is such as to give us all confidence. I shall, 
doubtless, hereafter use them all in my school. 

February 13, ISitj. 
From Ike Rev. Cooper Mead, D.D., Rector of Trinity Church, Southwark. 
Messrs. Key & Biddle, 

Gentlemen, — Having examined the "Outlines of Sacred History," intended 
for the use of schools and families, I think the work well calculated to inte- 
rest and instruct tliose for whom it has been prepared, and especially fitted 
to excite the young to a more careful perusal of the Bible, of which it is a 
valuable epitome. 

February 18, 1836. 

From Mr. Victor Value, Teacher of French, Src, and Member of the Ex- 
amining Committee of the A. Ass. for supply of Teachers. 

As the choice of suitable text and elementary books comes next to agood 
system of instruction, when we see such works as Pinnock's Goldsmith's 
"Greece," the "Sci.^ntific Class-book, Part I. and II." "Outlines of Sacred 
History," lately issued from yo\]r press, the friends of education must rank 
you among those who entinently deserve the thanks and patronage of the 
pubUc. 

From C H. Calhoun, A.M., Tutor William's College. 

Dr. Goldsmilli'.'s Historical Wr.rks rank high wherever they are known. 
Pinnock's improved edition of the "History of England" 1 have examined, 
and think it well adapted for the use of scliools and academies, both as a 
book for reading and study. The improvements of Mr. Pinnock, especially 
in the form of notes, are very valuable. From the little I have examined, 
the improved edition of tlie " History of Rome," I am inclined to speak as 
favourable of it as of the other. 

From George Hale, A.M., Tutor William's College. 
I consider the edition of Pinnock's "Goldsmith's Rome," published by 
Key and Biddle, as superior to any former edition of the work that has 
appeared 1 aui acquainted with no treatise on Algebra, which combines so 
many excellencies as the edition of Bridge's, published by Messrs. Key and 
Biddle. 



[22] 



f\om Allitrt Iloi'hins, AM., Professnr of Mafkemalics and Natural Phi- 
losophy, Williatii's CuUcgc. 

A work like llic "Scienlific Class-book," eilited by Professor Johnson, 
lias been for some time called for by an increasing taste for science, ana a 
higher siamlard of popular education. Such works ouglit to meet the pirpu- 
lar demand, and to elevate still higher the standard of attainment. Uoth 
these objects, 1 tliuik, are adequately secured in the present work. Icheer- 
fully recommend it. 

Wiltiamslotrn, Mass., Ftbruary 22, 1836. 
Fro7n Jvlin H. Lalkrop, A.M., C.A.S., Professor of Ethics and Political 
Economy, Hamilton College. 

It is quite unneces.sary to recommend to the readers of hi.story, works 
of such acknowledged merit as Goldsmith's "England," and "Rome." 
Yon have done a service to the cause of education by bringing out Pin- 
nock's improved edition of these works, In a form designed for students and 
well adapted to their use. 

I think very favourably of the design of the "Scientific Class-book, Part 
I.," and from a brief examination uf its contents, do not hesitate to e.\press 
the opinion that the design ha.s been executed with judgment and ability. 

From M. Catlin, A.M., Professor of Mathematics, Hamilton College. 

I have examined a volume containing "Guy's Elements of Astronomy" 
and an abridgment of " Keith on the Globes." I rejoice to see works pos- 
sessing so much intrinsic merit as Guy and Keith, presented in so attractive 
a form. 1 am of opinion that the volume is well worthy of public patronage, 
and I hope it may be extensively adopted as a textbook lor the young. I 
have also examined " Bridge's Algebra." The principles are v/ell arranged 
and illustrated by numerous well selected examples. 

Clinton, N. Y., February 22, 1S30. 
From Aaron N. Ski?iner,Esf/., A.M., Principal of a Select Classical School, 
Nett Haven, Connecticut. 

After three months' use, I have no hesitation in saying, that I think the 
"Scientific Class-book" the best work with which I am acquainted for 
popular and practical instruction, when the object is to convey useful and 
interesting information without mathematical demonstrations. Its arrange- 
ment is good, and its plan extensive, embracing ahnost all the topics of Physi- 
cal Science. The great number of facts, experiments, and illustrations by 
drawings, &c., render it a highly attractive book to the iiupil. I cheerfully 
recommend it as the best and most complete work I have seen for what it 
is intended, viz. "A familiar Introduction to the Principles of Physical 
Science." 

Piniiock's "Goldsmith's Rome and England" are improved editions of 
valuable works. From the handsome manner in which your edition is 
executed, I think it will come into general use. 

Fel/niary 20, 1836. 
From Dr. Keagy, Principal of Friends' Academy, S. Fourth street. 

The " Outlines of Sacred History," published by Messrs. Key and Riddle, 
is a well written digest ol^ Rible History, with the continuation of the Old 
Testament History from the time of Nehemiah to the advent of Christ, and 
of that of the New Testament, to the destruction of Jerusalem. It is alto- 
gether an excellent epitome, and will be very irseful to our youth in giving 
them consistent and comprehensive views of the historical parts of the 
Scriptures. JNO. M. KEAGY. 

Philadelphia, 183G. 

From Rev. Nehemiah Dodge, Principal of Harmony Hall Seminary. 
Messrs. Kev & Biddi-K, Philadelphia, February 15, 1836. 

I have examined, with much pleasure, your edition of "Outlines of Sacred 
History." I think it better sititcd to the younser members of families, and 
also to 0\e junior classes in our seminaries, than any other work with which 
I ara acquainted in this most important department of education. 

No. 78, South Eight-street. N. DODGE. 



[23] 



We fully concur in the opinions above expressed. 



THOS. H, WILSON, 
WM. ALU;XANUER, A.M. 
JNO. SIMMONS, 
WILLIAM M'NAIK, 
EU. n. HUBBARD, 
EZ'L. FOUSE, 
REV. WM. MANN, A.M. 
J. MADEIRA, 
J. E. SLACK, 
L. W. BURNET, 
JOHN HAi^LAM, 
THOMAS EUSTACE, 
JO. IN EUSTACE, 
WILLIAM MARRIOTT, 
RIAL LAKE, 
THOS. COLLINS, 
MATTHIAS NUGENT, 
SAML. CLENDEXIN, 
JAMES CROWELL, 



W. B. ROSE, 

ATIGUSriNE LUDINGrON, 

REV. .SAML. W. CRAWFORD, A.M. 

Principal of the Acadl. D(.pt. of ths 
University of Pennsylvania. 
THOS. M'ADAM, 
T. T. AZPELL, 
A. MITCHELL, 
11. MORROW, 
D. R. ASHTON, 
liEN.IAMlN C. TUCKER, 
ES LEW, 

WILLIAM ROBERTS, 
THOS. BALDWIN, 
U KITCHIN, 
M. L. HURLBERT, 
SHEPHERD A. REEVES, 
NICHOLAS DONNELLY. 
WILLIAM A. GARRIGUES. 
Fi-oni John M. Keagy, 31. D., Professor elect of Dickinson College. 
After an examination of Pinnock's edition of "Goldsmith's Greece," and 
Ihe second volume of the "Scientitic Class-book,"' 1 feel a pleasure in stating 
that they fully sustain the character given of the prev.ous part of each 
series: the one as a much improved edition of Goldsmith's popular History 
of Greece ; and the other as an e.xcellent compcnd on the subjects of which 
it treats. The Cheraistry and Metallurgy, the Geology, and History of Fos- 
sils, aniJ the sketch of Meteorology of the latter work, are particularly 
clear and comprehensive, to be comprised within the limits of a single 
duodecimo. JNO. M. KEAGY. 

Philaddphla, February 15, 1836. 

Philadelphia, February 15, 183f>. 

From Mr. N. Dod»e, Teacher, S. Eighth street. 
The edition of Pinnock's "History of Greece" on the basis of Gold- 
smith's, is, in my estimation, a work of superior merit. The introductory 
chapters are especially valuable. The body of the work is greatly im- 
proved; and the continuation, though brief, su[)plies a want greatly felt by 
every reader at the conclusion of the original work of Dr. Goldsmith. I 
shall introduce it into my seminary as the best text-book on the subject. 

N. DODGE. 
We fully concur in the opinions above expressed. 

THOS. II. WILSON, AUGU.STINE LUDINfiTON, 

WM. ALEX.XNDER, A.M. RIOV. SAML. W CRAWFORD, A.M. 

Princip;-.l of the Acadl. Dept. of the 
University of Pennsylvania. 
THOS. M'AD.\M. 
THOS. T. AZPELL, 
A. MITCHELL, 
II. MORROW, 
D R. ASHTON, 
BENJAMIN C. TUCKER, 
ES. LEVY, 

WILLIAM ROBERT.S, 
SA.MI.. J. WILLEY, 
THOS. BALDWIN, 
U. KITCHIN, 
M. L. HURLBERT, 
SHEPHERD A. REEVES, 
EDMUND NEVILLE, 
NICHOLAS DONNELLY, 
WILLIAM A. GARRIGUES. 



JNO. SIMMONS, 
WILLIAM M NAIR, 
ED. H HUBBARD, 
EZ'L. FOUSE, 
REV. WM. MANN, A.M. 
J. MADEIRA, 
.1. E. SLAtJK, 
I,. W. BURNET, 
JOHN H.\SI,AM, 
THOMAS EUSTACE, 
JOHN EUSTACE, 
WILLIAM MARRIOTT, 
RIAL LAKE, 
THOS. COLLINS, 
MATTHIAS NUGENT, 
SAML. CLENDENIN, 
JA.MES CROWELL, 
W.M. B. ROSE, 



[24] 

From Samuel Joties, M.A, Principal of Classical aiid Mathemati- 
cal Instil- e, North-east corner uf Seventh and Carpenter-streets 
Pkiladtlptiia. 

OUTLINES OF SACRED IIISTORV, and SACRED IHSTORY OF THE 
DELUGE. — The value of the^e two small volumes is r.ot to be estiiiiKted by 
their size. Whoever aiiiiiits the souuil doctrine so well expountJed and 
sustained in the essay of President Colton, that the " Holy Scriptures 
should be considered the only safe and proper basis of an education in the 
popular as well as in the true sense, liberal," must bid every such contri- 
Dution from the press a cordial welcome. Thi y belong :.o a class of books 
which lam happy lo believe are beginnina; to be moie correctly appre- 
ciated by parents and teachers, for whose assistance they have been spe- 
cially prepared. In the " Outlines of Sacred History," we have a judicious 
selection of incidents Irora mati^rials of great variety and extent. The 
nariatives are com[u"ehensive, well arranged, concise, and at the same time 
lufid : numerous striking poetical quotations, and well designed engravings 
interspersed throughout the volume serve to enliven and embellish it, and 
not the least valuable parts are the CI ronological Imlex, and the Questions 
at the end. The " Hist iry of the Deluge" is more elaborate than the 
former, though sufficiently simple in its style and general execution to 
render it intelligible lo children, with the aid of an occasional explanation 
from the teacher Tlie author has selected for his subject one of those 
grand events in the history of the past, which is not less intimately con- 
nected with science than it is with religion. It is well known how much 
has been done by some sc'.olists in geology to hi inst the record of Moses 
into discredit by representing it as irreconcilable with certain phenomena 
in nature. In this work of Mr. Fellowes, sutrieienl notice is taken of these 
attempts of the skeptical, to make it manifest that they are maintained more 
by assumptions, than by arguments; " that Philosophy and n-vealcd Reli- 
gion, when they come upoit common ground, go hand in hand." The book, 
thoush small, evinces much research, and an acquanitance with the works 
of the learned, some of which are .scarce, and most of them inaccessible 
to the majority of readers, for whose use this was designed. I' is hardly 
po.s.sible for the enlightened Christian student to read the fables of hea- 
thenism without reciignising ben(',"th a veil of fiction many of the sublime 
tiutlis of the " Inspu'ed Scriptures." In the "Sacred His'ory of the De- 
luge," we have a happy exemplification of ihe use to which these fraaments 
of Revelation, disfigured, mutilated, and disguised as they have been by 
tradition, can be applied for the purpose of defemliiig and illustrating the 
truth. As furnishing to children and youth an agreeable, and at the same 
time, profitable occuiiation for a Sabllalh evening's exercise, these Sacred 
Histories will :.e foun<l of great .itility ; nor can 1 ilonbf lh.it books so well 
adapted to meot the exigencies of the times, will fail of a lih.^ral patronage. 

S. .lO.NES. 

Philadelphia, March I, ISSS. No. 17 South Seventh-street. 

From J. G. De Soter, A.M., Professor of French, Spanish, and 
Italian 
Mbss!;s. Key &, Diddle, 

Gcnlli'in^n, — An attentive perusal of the "Scientific Class book" has 
convinced me of its sterling merit. No elementary work, hitlierto pub- 
lished, is better calculated to familiarize the )»iung student will some of the 
most a'traclive and useful branches of human knowledge ; and it is to he 
hoped that many a trilling and dull work, now r<-al in schools, will bo 
entirely superseded by the use of the Scientific Class-book. 

Goldsmith's Ili.slories of " England, Greece, and Rome," lately published 
by you, cannot fail to me-»t with universal apur tbaiion : indeed, it wi>nld be 
considered as a waste of time lo prove tiie merits of works which have 
already received the sanction of the public ; yet the considerable improve 
luents therein introduced by Pinnock, and the great accuracy and neatnes 



[25] 



of the typographical execution, add a new value to these volumes, and 
authorize me conscientiously to recommend them to the patronage of 
parents and conductors of schools. 

I have also examined, with much pleasure, the two '.ittle works, entitled, 
"Outlines ot" Sacred History," and " Sacred History of the Deluge." 
These clieap and neat volumes, professedly intended for school-books, are 
certainly well adapted for that purpose. They are executed with great 
clearness and precision ; and present, in a condensed form, the narration 
of facts and events with which every Christian ought to be conversant. 

Philadelphia, March 2, 1836. J. G. UE SOTER, 

Classical and Mathematical Institute. 

From John Collins, Teacher, No. 400 31arket-street. 
1 have examined the "Scientific Class-book," edited by Walter R. John- 
son, "PinnoCk's Abridgement of Goldsmith's Rome," and the "Outlines of 
Sacred History," and think them well calculated to be introduced into our 
pubUc schools and seminaries. 

From Wm. Russell, M.A., Editor of the first series of the American Jour- 
nal of Education, and Teacher of a Select Female School, Philadelphia. 

"The Outlines of Sacred History," of which you have published a new 
edition, I have found a useful and pleasing book for young pupils, and am 
gratified to learn that its circulation, as a family book, is also extensive. 
Used in conjunction with any of the recent maps of Palestine, it seems well 
adapted to impart clear and accurate ideas of the contents of the sacred 
volume. 

The "Scientific Class-book," by Professor Walter R. Johnson, seems to 
furnish a series of manuals such as have long been wanted in all places of 
education in which instruction in physical science is imparted. The First 
Part of this work I have found so well adapted to its objects, that I t-'ke 
much pleasure in the opportunity of making use of the Second. The same 
judicious selection of subjects, and the same appropriate style seems to 
characterize this part of the work, which impart so peculiar a value to the 
Pirst. 

I am happy to observe that you have been induced to publish Pinnock's 
improved form of "Goldsmith's History of Greece." This work possesses 
the same recoinmeniations as the corresponding volume of Roman history. 
The style has the pleasing and attractive character of the original writer, 
without his peculiar blemishes; and the matter has been modified, in adap- 
tation to the present state of knowledge, as regards the history and litera- 
ture of Greece. 

Tlie judicious manner in which this and the othervolumes of Mr. Pinnock 
have beon compiled, renders them, as far as I can judge, the best adapted 
to Iheir respective purposes. 1 sive them tlie- preference, accordingly, as 
class-books, in my own school, and am happv to learn that they are so exten- 
sively introduced' in others. WILLIAM RUSSELL, 

92 South Eighth-street. 

From N. S. Dodge, Principal of Young Ladies' Seminary, Piitsfield, 
Massachusetts. 

I am well pleased with your editions of " Goldsmith's England and Rome." 
The accuracy and attractive style of these works have always rendered 
them tlie most popular of histories, and with the improvements of Doctor 
Pinnock, they deserve all the popularity in schools flat they have had with 
the reading public. The questions and chronological tables at the ends of 
the several chaplers, and the historical noles and references interspersed 
throughout the works, add greatly to their value as school books. 

From. Rev. Professor Dewey. 
To those arfjuainted with " Bridge's Algebra," it is not necessary that 
any recommendation should be given. So far as it has gained access to the 



[2G] 



schools in this section of the country, it is highly approved; and, for many 
things, is (ieciLledly preferred to any of its predecessors. It is certainly an 
excellent system of Algebra. C. UEWEV. 

I fully concur in I'rofessor Dewey's opinion, N. S. UODGE. 

Frtm Rev. C. Dewey, A.M., Professor, Berkshire Gymnasium. 

"Guy on Astronomy" and " Keith on the Globes," have deservedly a high 
reputation as textbooks, on those subjects, in academies and higher schoola. 

The "Scientific Class-book," by Professor W. II. Johnson, contains a 
great amount of knowledge on the principles of Physical Science, and their 
application to the arts of life, and is well adapted to give instruction on these 
subjects to the older scholars in the higher schools. C. DEWEY. 

I have examined the "Scientific Class-book," and shall give it to an ad- 
vanced class in my school. N. S. DODGE. 

Pittsfietd, Mass., February 26, 1836. 

Prom Samuel Jones, A.M., Principal of Mathematical and Classical 
Institute. 

The excellent reputation of Dr. Goldsmith's histories is well known. Few 
Dooks for schools have been received by the community, with greater 
favour ; and yet to every discriminating teacher, it has long been manifest 
that they were susceptible of being greatly improved by any hand possessed 
of refpiisile skill to undertake it. With what success this desirable work 
has been done by tl)e present editor, may be inferred from the significant 
fact, that one of his revised histories has passed to the twelfth edition in 
England, and another has already reached the twenty-third. In the History 
of Greece, the reputation of the dislmguished editor is fully sustained. A 
mere glance at the new edition of Pinnock, in connexion with the original 
GoUsnuth, is sufficient to exhibit the great superiority of the former. Be- 
side the correction of material errors, and the supplying of important 
omissions, in the present work we have the instructive introductory chapter 
from Prolcissor Heeren, and the sketch of modern history at the end, by 
which its value is greatly enhanced. I cannot doubt that Pinnock's " Ilis- 
tory of Greece" will receive a similar welcome with its predecessors from 
the same improving pen, and that the publishers will have increasing evi- 
dence that, in "bringing out" this work, they have not less consulted the 
public taste, than the i)ublic exingencies. S. .lONES, 

Ftlnuary, ISJCi. No. 17 South Seventh-street. 

From Farrand N. Benedict, A.M., Professor o/" Mathematics and Civil 
Engineering, University of Vermont. 
Gentlemen, — I have examined your edition of " Bridge's .Algebra," and am 
pleased with its lucid arrangement and well selected examples. In these 
respects, particularly important to the young student I think it will be found 
a valuable introduction to that dcpaitment of mathematics. 

FARKAiND N. BENEDICT. 
Burlington, March 2, 1836. 

From D. D. Whedon, A.M., Professor of Anctent Languages, Wesieyan 
University, Middletown, Ct. 

" Pinnock's Goldsmith's England" I consider to be an improved edition 
of a standard little work. 

" Pinnock'.^; (.'oldsniith's Rome" appears to me to be admirably calculated 
for its intoiidid purposes. Uniting the results of the researches of Niebuhr 
with thr protluotldu of the classic pen of Goldsmith, it lurnishes, perliaps, 
the best manual extant for the popular reader and junior student of Kouian 
Instory. 



[27] 



fVom Isaac Webb, Esq., A.M., Principal of a Select Boarding-school Jbr 
Boys. 

I esteem your edition of "Pinnock's Goldsmith's History of England" as 
entirely worthy of a liberal public patronage. I have hardly an expectation 
of ever meeting with a better history of England in the same compass ; and 
your part of its execution deserves commendation. 

MiddUtoicn, Conn., 1836. 

IVom Augustus W. Smith, A.M., Professor of Natural Philosophy and 
Mathematics, Weslpyan University, Middletoicn, Conn. 

An examination of the "Scientific Class-book, Part I." published by you, 
has left a very favourable impression. Of the excellencies of this work, 
there is one which establishes its claim to public favour, and will most cer- 
tainly secure for it a speedy triumph over works of similar grade and pre- 
tensions. I allude to the introduction of many scientific facts and principles 
which have hitherto been buried in the voluminous and inaccessible records 
of learned societies, or are of too recent developement to have been earlisr 
imbodied in any popular work. It appears to me to be one of the very few 
popular scientific works which are not dignified by their title, and one of 
the still smaller class which possess the merits of a public benefaction. 

March 17, 1835. AUGUSTUS W. SMITH. 

From Isaac Webb, Esq., A.M. 

1 fully concur in the opinion of the "Scientific Class-book, Parti." as 
expressed by Professor Smith. "ISAAC WEBB. 

I have, from an examination, formed a high estimate of the value of your 
edition of " Pinnock's Goldsmith's History of Rome." The introductory por- 
tion, enriched as it is with the results of modern investigations, especially 
Nieouhr's, I consider an important improvement of Goldsmith's original 
work. 

Accept my cordial wishes that you may be liberally rewarded for your 
laudable efforts to furnish the community with proper school-books, pro- 
perly executed. ISAAC WEBB. 

"Guy's Astronomy" is a work of known and established merit ; and your 
edition of it, embracing also an abridgement of "Keith on the Globes," is 
superior to any popular work on the subject of Astronomy with which I am 
acquainted. The style and finish of the numerous plates, too, are espe- 
cially worthy of note. Those instructors who shall make a faithful trial of 
it, will, I am confident, award to it their strong approbation. 

ISAAC WEBB. 

"OtTTLiNEs OP Sacred History." — A very interesting work, well adapted 
to answer the end designed. , Illustrated with numerous wood cuts, and 
enriched with poetic description, its arrangement seems admirably calcu- 
lated to impress upon the rising generation the interesting facts of sacred 
history. In this little volume, kings, warriors, judges, shepherds, and tribes 
pass before us in succession ; and while we read their history, we almost 
seem to groan under their bondage, or exult in their liberty. Sir Isaac 
Newton said, "There is no philosophy like that taught in the Bible ;" and 
truly we may say, there is no history of any nation or of any age that will 
bear comparison with that recorded on its sacred page : and I deem every 
' effort to bring it before our families and the rising generation as worthy of 
praise ; and when done with the taste and order exhibited in these Outlines, 
as deserving extensive patronage. WILLIAM SUDDARDS, 

Rector of Grace Church, Philad. 

Prom J. Mlntyre, Teacher, Philadelphia. ' 

In facts, well authenticated and well selected, the " Scientific Class-book" 

is very rich. Hypothesis and fact are often, and with manifest intention, 

preserved distinct. Data are stated, conclusions drawn, and theories 

weighed, with much accuracy and abihty. As a popular introduction to the 



[28] 



sciences of which it troats, it is well fitted. I certainly have Been no work 
of the kinU so good. 

Pinnock's edition of Goldsmith's Roman Ilistory is a very valuable work. 
The introduction may be selected as a part wisely designed and skilfully 
executed. The topographical descriptions are faithful ; the most prominent 
features are chosen, and correctly portrayed. The style is pure, perspicu- 
ous, and pleatinfr, without much figurative decoration. The history may 
be iustly commended. J. M'lNTYUE. 

Pine street, March 16, 1S36. 

Extract from a Report made to the Lyceum of Teachers, of Philadelphia. 
Your Committee are of opinion that the book (Scientific Class-book) in 
question is, in almost every respect, superior to the books now in use, on 
the subjects it embraces. They submit the following reasons as the ground 
of their preference: — 1. Tlie different subjects are presented to the student 
in ,sucl> a manner, that, without some effort on his ii.irt, he cannot under- 
stand them ; but with that effort, he is richly rewarded with an ample fund 
of valuable facts, arranged, explained, and classed in accordance with the 
recent improvements in physical science. 2. At the loot of each pa^e the 
editor has introduced a few questions so judiciously, as to induce the impor- 
tant habit of attention and rellection, without which, to answer them would 
be impossible ; thus affording one of the best tests of the actual amount of 
acquirement which the student has made. 3. The work never seems to 
lose sight of the great importance of making all science subservient to the 
happiness of man^ This, it appears to your Committee, it has done in a high 
degree, by showing to what a great extent the successful prosecution of the 
arts depends on science. 4. The editor appears to have spared no pains in 
the effort not only to render the work in a high degree instructive, but at the 
same time to introduce such interesting (because practical) illustrations, as 
to make it a very pleasant book for those for whom it was designrrl 
conclusion, your (Jommitlee have seldom seen a work, intended for ■ i, 
in which there is so little to regret and so much to approve, as mat oubuiit- 
ted as the subject of this report. 

After a cursory examination of the " Outlines of Sacred History," I can 
cheerfully recommend it as admirably adapted to the wants of those famiUes 
who have long desireil an elementary work, literary and religious, which 
might be stiidied on the Sabbath-day with propriety and interest, as pre- 
paratory to the recitations of the following morning. While it should be 
regarded as a valuable Sabbath-school book, it will be foimd to be specially 
useful in common schools, and even interesting and edifying to persons of 
mature age, as a book of reference. J. LYBRAND. 

From N. Dodge, A.M., Member of the Examining Committee of the Ame- 
rican Association for supply of Teachers. 
I have examined with as much care as my leisure would permit your 
"Scientific Class-book, Pan 11.," and shall introduce it into my seminary as 
a text-book, for the subjects of science which it embraces. 1 am fully con- 
vinced, that the scientific course presented in these volumes, is decidedly 
superior in systematic form, as well as compass, to any extant in the English 
language. 

The "Sacred History of the Deluge" will doubtless be perused by those 
who have not access to any thing more complete, with profit. 

N. DODGE, 
Prineipnl of Harmony Hall Female Seminary. 

From Rarlram Knighn. 

I have examined Pinnock's "Goldsmith's "Rome," "Greece and Eng- 
land," the "Scientific Class-.book," "Bridge's Algebra," and the "Sacred 
History;" and I confidently say that they are admirably calculated to afford 
the student a rich store of knowledge, and arranged in such a manner eis to 
render those studies interesting to the learner. 

Philadelphia, Id mo., '25th, ld36. 



[29] 



SACRED HISTORY OF THE DELUGE; 

ILLUSTRATED AND CORROBORATED BY 

TRADITION, MYTHOLOGY AND GEOLOGY, 

ADAPTED 

TO COURSES OF SCRIPTURE STUDT IN COLLEGES AWD HIGHER 

SEMINARIES, AND TO GENERAL USE. 

BY FRANCIS FELLOWES, A.M. 

ffSJitt) an Entco^iuctoti) JLctter, 

BY REV. CHAUNCEY COLTON, D.D., 

PRESIDENT OP BRISTOL COLLEGE. 



Messrs. Key & Biddle, — March 25, 1S36. 

It is with pleasure 1 bear testimony to the merits of the "Sacred History 
of the Deluge," by Francis Fellowes, A.M. To the Christian teacher, anil 
Christian parent, it will be vaki.ible as an auxiliary to the study of the Bible. 
President Colton's essay should be attentively read by all who have charge 
of our own institutions of learning. 

Respectfully yours, J. H. BROWN, 

Columbia Academy^ No. 52 Cherry-street, Philadelphia, 

The "Sacred History of the Deluge," by Mr. Fellowes, is a work con- 
taining a great many uceful and appropriate remarks, on tliat most curious 
and interesting catastrophe. 

Its value is also enhanced by the very clear and able introduction of the 
Rev. Dr. Colton, on the study of Biblical literature. His views are well 
adapted to excite and increase the taste for the study of the sacred Scrip- 
tures, both in our own and tho original languages. With these sentiments, 
I can cordially recommend the work. JNO. M. KEAGY. 

March 25, 1836. 
We concur in the above. 

.lOHN STEEL, THOMAS EUSTACE, 

BENJ. C. TUCKER, N. DODGE, 

WILLIAM ALEXANDER, AM. J. B. WALKER, 
Rev. SAML. W. CRAWFORD, V. VALUE, 

A.M., Principal of the Acadl. JOHN EUSTACE, 
Dept. of the University of AUGUSTINE LUDINGTON, 
Pennsylvania. SAMUEL CLENDENIN, 

THOS. M'ADAM, M. L. HURLBURT, 

ARCHIBALD MITCHELL, J. W. ROBERTS, 

WM. MANN, WILLIAM MARRIOTT, 

L. W. BURNET, THOMAS CONARD, 

WILLI.\M M'NAIR, R. W. CUSHMAN, 

THOS. T, AZPELL, BENJAMIN MAYO, 

BARTRAM KAIGNH, WM. A. GARRIGUES, 

M. SEMPLE, Jr. M. SOULE, 

EDWARD H. HUBBARD, U. KITCHIN, 

H. REEVES, DANIEL MAGENIS, Teacher of 

HENRY BILL, Elocution. 

HENRY LONGSTRETH, A.M. ANDREW STEVENSON, 
C. K. FROST, DANIEL FULLER, 

JOHN STOCKDALE, T. M. LUBBREN, 

THOS. COLLINS, JAMES E. SLACK, 

JNO SIMMON.S, WM. ROBERTS, 

JAMES CROWELL, E. NEVILLE, 

SETH SMITH, RICH. O. R. LOVETT, 



[30] 



jFVom Professor E. A. Andrews, A.M., Principal of Mount Vernon Insti- 

tulefor Young Ladies, Boston, Mass., Author of a Latin Grammar, S^c. 

Your editions of Pinnock's Goldsniith's "England and Rome," are 
decidedly Ihe very best editions that I have seen of those very popular 
school hooks. The first part of the "Scientific Class-book" (the only part 
which I have yet seen) appears to inc well adapted to the wants.of schools, 
and higher seminaries ; and in repard to " Bridge's Aleebra," I cannot bet- 
ter express niy views, than by saying, that 1 should cheerfully subscribe to 
the opuiion given of it by Professor Adrain. 

From Col. James M. Porter, President of Board of Trustees, Lafayettt 
College, Easton, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania. 

1 have examined and partially read the " Outlines of Sacred History," 
intended for the use of schools, and the " Sacred History of the Deluge" 
illustrated, and have regretted that my other avocations have heretofore 
prevented a critical and closer perusal of them. As far as I have examined 
them, I am nmch pleased both with the manner and matte! r of them, and 
think the former well adapted to promote a correct knowledge of the his- 
torical part of the Bible in continu'^'is order, and the latter an excellent 
illustration of the truth oi the Scnpture History of Ihe Deluge, and of its 
causes and consequences. Tlie introductory essay to the iatter work on 
the study of the Scriptures as a part of liberal education, is worthy of the 
attention of all connected with the business of education. Both the works 
in question are important in the points of view in which he places the 
suhject. 

1 have examined Pinnock's Goldsmith's "Greece," his "Rome," and his 
"England," and have much pleasure in adding my testimony to that of the 
numerou.s genllenien who have testified to their excellence and usefulness. 
I esteem them as most valuable works for instructing youth in the histories 
of those countries, and as volumes to which older persons may turn with 
pleasure and with profit. I know of no other historical works equal to 
them for the use of stnools. 

In this age wherein utility is the true test of value of publications, "the 
Scientific Class-book" must meet \vith public favour, because it so fully 
deserves it. I would recommend it for use in schools, as admirably adapted 
for tl.e purpose of instructing youth in the principles of the physical 
sciences; ami master mechanics would advance their own interests smd 
promote Ihe knowledge of their apprentices, and consequently the value of 
their services, by placing the work in their hands for perusal ; for "every 
mechanic art is the reduction to practice of scientific principles," and the 
better the principles are understood, the more perfect will be that reduc- 
tion lo practice. J. M. PORTER. 

Easton, Pa., April f>, 1836. 

From Rev. Jno. Foriyth, Pastor of Reformed Presbyterian Church. 

The cursory examination which 1 have been able to give to your "Out- 
Hnes of Sacred History," has led me to form a favourable opinion of the 
work. 

With the design of it I am particularly well pleased ; a well executed 
work of the kind has been long needed for our common schools, and it 
would afford me much pleasure to learn that these Outlines have been 
introduced into them. The desideratum is in a good degree supplied by 
this publication. 

I can only say, in conclusion, that I trust the patronage you will receive 
may be such as to induce you speedily to emit a second revised and enlarged 
edition. 

Philadelphia, March 13, 1836. 

From Mr. Cleanlhes Felt, M.A. 

I have carefully e.tamined the second part of "the Scientific Class-book," 
and it appears to me to deserve the patronage of those concerned in Iho 
education of youth It is, indeed, in my opinion, the very book so long 
needed ; I, therefore, cheerfully recommend it to parents, guardians, and 
teachers throughout the United States. 



[31 ] 



Your Pinnock's Goldsmith's " History of Greece," is, I think, an excel- 
lent work to be placed in the hands of youth. 

Your " Sacred History" also, I consider a choice book, and well worth 
the perusal both of the old and tlie young. It contains a concise account 
of all the principal facts recorded in sacred writ ; a knowledge of which 
must prove useful to the rising generation. C. FELT. 

Gentlemen, — I state with pleasure, that 1 have introduced into my semi- 
nary for young ladies, your improved edition of Pinnock's Goldsmith's 
" Greece, Rome, and England," and do not hesitate to recommend them as 
admirably calculated to "promote the object of the author. 

Philadelphia, March 15, 1836. MRS. R. BRYANT. 

From B. Mayo, Teacher, Philadelphia. 

1 have perused pretty generally, with much satisfaction, Pinnock's Gold- 
smith's Histories of "Greece and Rome." I consider them a decided 
improvement in the department for which they are intended, and as fully 
embracing tlie principal objects of solicitude, in the selection of class read- 
ing-books, viz. correctness and intelligence. For correctness, they may, 
with confidence, be introduced to the English reader; and tlieir intelligence 
is well imbodied through the work, free from that worst of all plagues, 
circumlocution. Too much care cannot be taken in the selection of read- 
ing books for classes, as by early impressions the style of reading and 
speaking is generally formed. There is no danger of forming a bad style 
from the works in question. B. M. 

Prom Rev. Geo. DuJJield, Pastor of Fifth Presbyterian Church, Arcli-strect. 

At your request, gentlemen, I have examined the " Outlines of Sacred 
History," recently published by you, and think it well adapted for the use 
of scliools and families. As a class-book, in the former, or for familiar 
instruction in the latter, it will prove a valuable addition to the numerous 
works already printed, designed to facilitate the religiou.s education of 
youth. The eniiravings give it an attractiveness to the youngest, while the 
mteresting facts and perspicuous style, render it worthy the notice of per- 
sons of maturer years. To hear that it finds favour with teachers, and is 
generally intr"luced into primary schools as a book for exercises in read- 
ing, will be pleasing to 

Yours, &c. GEORGE DUFFIELD. 

Philadelphia, March 14, 1836. 

From Charles Dexter Cleveland, M.A., Principal of Female a'eminari/. 

After a careful examination of the "Outlines of Sacred History," re- 
cently published by you, I have introduced it into my school, which I should 
not do, of course, did it not meet with my entire approbation. 

Philadelphia, May 3, L83G. C. D. CLEVELAND. 

Messrs. Key & Biddle, — 

The little volume entitled " Outlines of Sacred History," lately published 
by you on the same liberal plan as the many excellent books which have 
been publislied by the American Sunday-school Union, is a valuable pro- 
duction in this important kind of literature. The comprehensive brevity 
of the work, its division into short chapters, the plain and simple style in 
which it is written, the short comments and arguments occasionally inter- 
spersed through the narrative, and the excellency of the subject-matter, 
all combine to render it worthy of a place in every library designed for 
the use of children. Very respectfully yours, 

Philadelphia, March 19, 1836. T. G. POTTS. 

Messrs. Key & Biddle, — 

The " Sacred History of the Deluge, illustrated and corroborated bv tra- 
dition, mythology, and geology," lately published by you, must, I think, 
commend itself to all Christian fiarenis and teachers of youth, as a trea- 
tise of no little merit. While it is free from vain speculation, it is full of 
undeniable truth ; it imbodies a wide range of thnuglu, and presents a most 
instructive and impressivs lesson in morality. The mind that can read it 
through without advantage must indeed either be well endued with morals, 
or in very great need of improvement. 

May 6, 1^. Very respectfully yours, T. G. POTTS. 



[32] 

AN ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY OF THE 
ENGLISH LANGUAGE, 

ON A P I, A Jf E X TI n E L T NEW. 

BY JOHN OSWALD, 



REVISED AND ISIPROVED, AND ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO THE PrRPOSE OP 
TEACHING ENGLISH COMPOSITION IN SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. 

BY J. M. KEAGY. 



Messrs. Key & Biddle, — 

Gentlemen :—\n re|)ublishin<; "Oswald's Elymoloiical Dictionary," en- 
riched as it is by llie sensible and well written '^ Introductinn" of Dr. 
Keagy, you liave done a real service to tlie cause of sound cducalion. It is 
the best work of the kind (desij{ned for sch.wls) that I liave yet seen, and 
it must lidve an extensive circulation. For in every well regulated school 
lauirhl by cmnpetepl masters, elymolosy will f mn a prnminenl branch of 
study as long as there is an inseparable conncxi.in between clearness of 
thiiugl'.t, and'a correct u.s.- of lannuaffe. 

Yours reipeclfuUy, C. D. CLEVELAND. 

We fullv concur in the above. 

J. iWlNTYKE, SAMUEL CLENDENIN, 

JAMKS H. ES'PY, E. FOUSK, 

JNO. sni-MONS, TfiOMAS CONARD, 

B. AV. BI.A'.ICWOOD, IIKN'KY HILL. 

E. H. Hl'BBAKD, THOMAS BALDWIN, 

E. NEVILLE, V. Kircill.X, 

F. i\L LUBRIIEN', DAMI'.L .MAIIIN'IS, 
AVM. A. OAKKKUJES. JOH\ EVANS. 
AVILLIAM :\IARHIOTT, JOSKl'H V. K.VGLES, 
KIAL LAKE, J. \V. itOBKKT.-^, 
THOS. T .\ZPELL, BA"tTI{AM KAIGN, 
A. MITCHELL, JNO. I). GltlSCOAI, 
CHAKLES i\I1;AD, AKCHIBAi.1i O. R. LOVETT, 
WM. MANN, AUGl'STiXK LUDINGTON, 
WlLldA:'.! IMiNAIR, W?.I. B. IWSK, 

JOHN STKI:l, NICHOLAS DONNELLY, 

BENJA.AIIN AlAYO, C. K. FKOST, 

JOHN HASl.AM, WILLIAM AIJE.\ANDER, A.M. 

CHAS. HENKY ALDEN, M. SOULE, 

THOAIA> l.t.STACE, J. ICt\PP, 

W. (M.iRitAN, JOHN STOCKDALE, 

BENJAMIN TUCKER, Rev. SAML. W CKAUTORD, A.M 

M. L. HUKLBUT, Principal of the .V.ull. Dopt.oftlit 

T. G. POTTS, Univ.T!»itV"f lennsvlvania. 

CHARLES ATHERTON. THOIMAS H. WILSON, 

HENRY I/)NG.STKETn, A.M. THOMAS M'ADAM. 
Prwn Mr. William liiisscll, A.M., author of an Abridgment of Adain^ 
iMtin Grammar, Tcw-hcr, <|"c. 
Oswald's " Eiymol iffical Dictii)nary," revised by Dr. Kcary, is a wurk 
which will be found invaluable in all schools in wiiirli attention is paid to 
the syslemalic study nf the English lani^aaje. The plan and arransemeut 
of this manual are such as to bring under a single elance the ctyrnolo!;y 
of all cognate terms, in addition to that of the parlhtular wonl which hap- 
pens to occur in any in."Ance ; and the extent to which this classification 



C 33 ] 

13 carried, enables the student to command a survey, as it were, of the 
capabilities of our language, in the expression of whole classes of ideas. 
Oswald's Etymological Dictionary possesses, in this resjiect, an advantage 
over other works of its class; as most of these are restricted to a mere 
alphalietic arrangement of words, in consequence of whicli, it becomes 
exceedingly difficidl to oljtain a complete view ol any series of derivations. 
I am hajijiy to liavo the opportunity of introducing th'j Dictionary in my 
school, as 1 shall find it a useful substitute for oral inslrucUnn, in parsing 
lessons, Ijoth in LaTin and English; having been accustomed to require a 
statement of the uerivation or ciinipositi^n of every w^rd m such lessons 
befoi-e that of its inflection or other variations. The use of ihis work will 
not, therefore, cause me any extra arrangement of classes, while it will be 
of equal assistance to my pupils and myself. Other teachers may find it 
convenient to introduce the book in llie same or a similar way. The merits 
of the work itself, liowever, are such as to render it ccuulucive, in the 
highest degree, to all purposes of instruction connected with language ; 
an~U 1 liave^no doubt that ii will be adopted in all schools in wliich an accu- 
rate knuwledse of etymidogy is deemed important. Dr. Keagy's jarelimi- 
nary es.say .\ the forms of Umught as giving origin to ihose .-"exi ''ession, 
will grcaiiy eidiance the value of the work to all teachers wno niace any 
reliance on the philosophy of instruction. WM. KUSSbLL, 

No. 92 South 8ih street, Phila. 

From Mr. J. H. Broien, Tcarher, riiiladclphia. 

The "Etymolrgical Dictionary" of Oswald, needs no cfrnimendation 
when it is known that its merits have been such as to induce Dr. J. M. 
Keagy to revise and improve it fe:r the use of scliools and academies. 

Tlic merits of the work will Ijear testimony in favour of the ability of 
Mr. Oswald for the present undertal<i;ig ; while the extensive philological 
researclies (^i Dr. Keagy, his devotion to tlie cause of education, pafticu 
larly to the study of language, and his success as a teacher, leave no room 
to doubt the merit and utility of the present work. 

No one aiming to make hinise'f master of the English language, should 
be wili.out a copy of the present work, for daily examination aijd reference. 

J. H. BROWN, 

Ma>/ IG. 1836. . -No. ^i (Jhernj-slreet. 

"The Etymological Dictionary by Dr. Keagy on the basis of Oswald,'' 
appears to me hapjiily adapted to remove many of the dilficulties with 
which youth have to contend in their earlier atlenifits at crmiposition. 
Those who have had the slightest e.<perience in teacliing, must be aware 
how utterly inadequate our ordinary dictionaries are to the wants of the 
pupil ; and even were liis judgment suffiriently matured to make tlie neces- 
eary discrimination, the lime requisite for searcliing the larger dictionary, 
could not well be spared from other studies. While the work, liowever, 
presents many important advantages to tue learner, it proposes neither 
to supersede the exercise of his judgment, nor to secure in eyery instance a 
just application of the language wiliiout labour and care. I'rom the case 
with which reference is made to principles, in the arranging of the words 
according to their genera, thereby enabling the pupil to acquire the signifi- 
cation of'a whole class of words with comparative ease ; and in the facili 
ties afforded to the mere English scholar for obtaining a radical acquaint- 
ance with his own language, tlie Etyuiological Dictionary otfers declined 
advantages to the pupiL and must prove a valuable auxiliary to the 
teacher. JAMES GOODFELLOW, 

Teacher, Sansom-street. 
Prom Messrs. Calvin Trarij, A.M., and C. G- Bumliam, A.M. 

We have examined carefully Pinnock's improved edition of Goldsmiths' 
Histories of " Greece, Rome, and England," and hesitate not to say that 
they possess uncommon merit. Correct historical information is happily 
combined with simplicity of style and purity of language. VVc corclially 
recommend them to the attention of teachers, as volumes calculated to 
inspire students with a deep interest in the study of history. 

Also "Outlines of Sacred History," and " the Sacred History of the De- - 
luge." These we have also examined, and are fully satisfied of their dig- 



[34] 

tinguiehed merit. The former presents, iu a small comnass, the princfpal 
eyents recorded by the nacred historians, together willi oincr circumgtantes 
connected with the history of the Bible, in a natural and pleasing style. 
With the help of the numerous engravings, it is admirably calculated to 
interest the minds of children and youth ; to leave clear and distinct im- 
pressions of the events narrated, ami to mspire a thirst for a more intimate 
acquaintance with the sacred volume. 

"The Scientific Class-book." We have examined this work with no 
small decree of satisfaction, and think it admirably adapted to the wants 
of schools and academics. A philosophical treatise, in which the princi- 
ples of physical science are explain-d in an easy and familiar style, has 
long been needed ; and we are prepared to say, that we have nowhere 
found this so happily accomplished as in the " Scientific Class-book." It is 
replete with interest. 

" Guy's Astronomy," and " Keith on the Globes," combined in a neat and 
attractive volume, should be placed in the hands of every scholar, desirous 
of obtainini, in a small compass, a large quantity of valuable information. 
It has many very commendaljle qualilies. We very cheerfully recommend 
it to teachers. We wouM also recommend to their notice " Bridge's Alge- 
bra." The pirinciples of this abstract science are here fully and clearly 
exhi'.^ited. 

" The New American Speaker." A valuable work for students, contain- 
ing a variety of pieces designed to call forth and regulate the powers of the 
voice. The selectiims have been made with much care an 1 judgment. 

" L'Abeille pour les Enfans." The styls of this work is easy and simple ; 
the fables are interesting and instructive, rendering it a valuable work for 
Buch as are commencing the study of the French language. 

C. TRACY, 
Principal of K'ew Brurtstcirk Female Academy. 

May 13, 1836. C. G. BURNHAM, 

Principal of the lialiicai/ female Seminan/. 

From Prnfesaor Griscom, late of .Vcw> York. 
"Outlines of Sacred History."— We have looked through this neat little 
volume with unmingled satisfaction. The events recorded in the Holy 
Scriptures, infinitely surpassing all other historical occurrences in their 
importance l> the pn'seiit and future races of mankind, because they are 
essentially interwoven with those vast ameliorations wnich Christianity 
has introduced into the world, and is propagating throughout the civilized 
and even t,he heathen world, are too seldom impressed upon tlie minds of 
youth in such a manner as to render the knowledge of tlicm clear, cohe- 
rent, and inviting. The Bible maybe civen to children ns a task, and 
questions upm it be correctly answered ; but without some .such a connected 
and well written statement of the consecutive events of Jewish propjietic 
and apostolic histories as this little book contains, the facts of the Bible, 
involvedas they are with so much ceremonial illustration, — sulilime, poetical 
di'Scripti(Mi, — devotional e.vhortation and preceptorial instruction, will be 
divested of much of that attraction to ordinary minds, which, as matters 
o( saoed hislor;/, Ihe.y actually possess. These outlines are divided into 
fifty-seven short chapters. The style, thoush plain, is animated and po- 
lished, and each chajiter i"> preceded Dy a poetical extract so well extracted 
that young people would do well to commit them to memory. A chronolo- 
gical talde and a few fpiestiono on each chapter for the purpose of recita- 
tion, terminate a volume, which it would be well, we are f ersiiaded, lo intro- 
duce generally into common and Sabbath-schools. 

From the Calskill RcconJer. 
We have three or four works lately published by Key and Biddle, of 
Philadelphia. Among these we are pleased to see an imjiroved edition of 
" Bridge's .\lgebra." The publishers have done essential service to the 
cause of education, by giving the public an alcebra in so cheap a firm, and 
with so lar[40 an amount of well selected and well arranged matter. We 
are pleased to see Goldsmith's " Ensland and Rome'' enlarged, corrected 
and improved. Mr. Pinnock, the editor, has appended lo each chapter 



[35 J 

appropriate questions. We would highly recommend these works as ad- 
mirably adapted to our schools and academies. 

It is understood that these gentlemen have in contemplation a series of 
text-books for our scliools and colleMS. They have thus far spared no 
pains nor expense in obtaining the assistance of the must learned and able 
men. Several works are already in a course of preparation l)y the most 
distinguished, scientific and literary men in our country. It is believed 
that the ability with which tht-y will be prepared, will commend them to 
the instructers of our youth as valuable text-books. We heartily wish 
these gentlemen success in their elTirts to ccnibine the talent and learning 
of the country, for the purpose of diffusing knowledge in a condensed ana 
popular form throughout the community. 



MANUAL OF CLASSICAL LITERATURE. 

FROM THE GERaiAN OF J. J. ESCHENBURG, 

Professor in the Carolinum at Brunswick. 

WITH ADDITIONS, BY N. W. FISKE, 

Professor of the Latin and Greek Languages in Amherst College. 



The Publishers haying handed a copy of the above work to the Rev. Dr. 
Wylie for examination, havo t'.ie pleasure of laying before the public his 
views of its value. They hope very soon to add many more testimonials 
of the same high character. 

Messrs. Key & Biddle, — 

Gentlemen : — At your request \ have examined the " Maniial of Classical 
Literature, from the German of J. J. Eschenburg, Professor in the Caroli- 
num at Bn/iixirirk, irilh a^lilifions," and am prepared to state, without 
reserve, that 1 consider it the best assistant to the classical student of all 
the works of the kind that have ever met my eye. It oug..t to be in the 
hands, nm only of every tyro in the commencement of his'classical career, 
but should find a place in tlie library of every lover of Grecian and Roman 
literature. It is a most valuable acquisition to the academies and colleges 
of our country. Wiiri great plaasure I recommend it to the patronage of a 
liberal public. Very resnectfu''y, 

Gentlemen, yours, &c. SAML. B. AVYLIE, 

University, May 25, 1836. Vice Provost of the University of Perm. 

We cheerfully concur in the above opinion cf Doctor Wvlie. 

.lOHN FROST, 
WILLIAM RUSSEIX. 
BIessbs. Key & Bronl-E,— 

Gentlemen:— \ have examined the "Manual of Classical Literature- 
horn the German of Eschenburir, with additions liy Professor Fiske," and 
am convinced that it is a work of great merit, and admirably adapted to 
supply the want, long felt by classical tea?chers and scholars, of a cu.Tipre- 
hensive text-book in the department of classical literature and antiqui- 
ties. The great amount and variety of information it contains on the sub- 
jects of Grecian and Roman literature and arts, mytholosy, and antiqui- 
ties, judiciously arranged and reduced to a uniform method,— the classical 
celebrity of its author, together with the many valuable additions made by 
Profvissor Fiske, render it worthy of being extensively used as a text-book 
In the study of the classics, as well as a book of reference to the general 
scholar. J. B. WALKER. 

PhOadelphia, May 26, 1S36. 



[36] 

Tin follotcing extracts are from a critical notice of the " Mctmtal," pub' 
lished in the Biblical Repository, Anclover, Mass. 

" Eschenburg's Manual of Classical Literature'' has long had a high 
reputation in turop«, having gone through seven or eight editions in Ger- 
man, and one in a French translation. 'The author zealously extended a 
taste for English literature in Germany, having translated the works of 
Barney, ShaUspeare, &;c. Among his publications, the one now first pre- 
eenled to the American public, and which-has been adopted as the basis of 
public and privale instruction in the maji^r part of the ctdlegcs and uni- 
versities in Gi rmany, is disisned to form a complete manual of the most 
essential aids iu reading the classical authors. The matter, in the Ameri- 
caa dress, is arranged under live parts, or heads:— Part I. Archa>(dogy of 
Literature and An. Part II. History of Ancient Literature, Greek and 
Roman." Pan IH. Mylholotry of the Greeks and Komans. Part IV. Gn.ek 
and Koman Anlinuities. Part V. Classical Geography and Chronology. 
The volume is divided into about 600 paragraphs, lor the sake of convenient 
reference. These are printed in a larger type, and are for the most part a 
translation from Eschenburg. Inserted between many of these paragraphs 
are a large number of references, explanatory remarks, illusiralivms^ ifcc, 
nearly all from the pen of the translator. In these additions. Professor 
Fiske has rendered more complete the ^reat design of the work, in that 
■which constitutes its peculiarity, and disliinguishes^il from other works in 
the language. 

As to the need of such a work as this of Eschenburg, there can be but 
one oi)inion. Some valuable detached sources of information may be 
found, like Potter's Antiquities; but no com|)rehensive, copious, and at the. 
same time srlecl and discriminating manual on the subject has been within 
the reach of the mass of students. The statement of the contents of the work 
ofEschenburg just given, will furnish some ideaofihc comjirehensive nature, 
as well as thescieniific arrangement of the topics; both of which are charac- 
teristic of the volume. The number of works referred to, the .various 
sources and materials for further illustration and investigation, are very 
great. AVhile these will not impede the progress of the young student, being 
for the most part thrown into a small and separate type, tlicy will furnish 
the advanced scholar clues and hints for more extended and profound 
research. The references are not merely to Gorman works, but to EnL'lish 

Publications, and frequontly to important articles in our periodical Keviews. 
"he manner in whicli the translator. has executed his work needs no com- 
mendation from us. To an actiuainiance with the German lansiiage, he adds 
the practical experience ilerived from the many years in which he has been 
employed in classical instruction in two of our principal colleges. The 
volume will find a place in our college text books; in our academies and 
higher schools ; and in many privale libraries, it will fill the same place in 
classical literature which the works of Jahn ilo in biblical. A part of the 
lransl)H(Dn is by Professor Cruse, late of the University of Pennsylvania; 
and Part V. is not the original German. 

Frcnn Neheminh Dmlge, A.M., Member of the E.vaminim; Committee of the 
, American Association Jor tlie Supply of Teachers. 

The pvildication of the " iMamial of Classical Literature" is a service for 
■which every classiial scholar and student who may enjoy the use of a copy 
will sincerely thank you. It presents a storehouse of just such knowledge 
as the ingenuous sludi-nt wishes to acquire, while studying the Greek and 
Koman lan^uasres ; and also such as the ripe scholar may read or consult 
with satisfaction. I have introduced it into my seminary. 

From Jno. M. Keagy, M.D., Member of the Examining Committee qf the 
American Associaiion for the Supply of Teachers. 
After an attentive examination of "Fschcnburg's Manual of Classical Li- 
terature," edited liy Professor Fiske, I feel assured that its place cannot be 
supplied by any simple work in our lansuase. It firtnslhe most systematic 
and extensive iKuly of information on all the interesting p.oints <if inquiry 
connected with Grecian and Roman Literature and Antiquities, that has 
come under my observation. It is comprehensive in its scope, and clear in 



[37] 

its details, while the bibliographical notices, and references to other works, 
are copious, and form a highly valuable portion of the book. 

The value of the originaf eclition has been enhanced by the labours of the 
editor, who has added much useful matter to the body of the work, and also 
t3 the bililiography and references. As a whole it contains so much useful 
information, evidently collected with great researeh, that it will only need 
to bo examined, to be approved and adojited as a manual, by the classical 
scholar, the critic, or the general reader of history. It salisfies an unde- 
fined want that has long been felt by classical students in the common 
school aids to their studies, and which they can only fully realize and un- 
derstand, after they examine this book. 

Fi-om C. IT. Alden, A.M., Chairman of the Examining Committee of the 
American Associalio/i/or the Sunphj of Teachers, and Principal of the 
Pliiladetphia Female High School. 

Sir .■—I have with care looked over a very valuable work, lately from 
your press, " Eschenburg's Manual of Classical Literature," and I close the 
volume with feelinsrs which prompt me to state to you, in a few words, my 
opinion of its merits. Its title is sufliciently indicative of its contents, byt 
without examination, no scholar would suppose tliat in about 650 pages are 
comprised full, but concise and able, treatises on the following subjects : — 
Archoeology of Greek a.nd Roman Literature and Arts, History of Greek 
and Roman Literature, Mythology of the Greeks and Romans, Greek and 
Roman Aiitiiiuities, and Classical Geography and Chronology. A glance at 
these subjects will show, that if sufficiently exact, this Manual will supply 
the jjlace'of some four or five volumes, wliich the diligent student finds it 
useful often to constilt. The portion devoted to the view ol the Classical 
Authors may seem too limited, and yet all that can be easily retained in 
memory, i. e. the most important facts, are ^iven. In other respects I am 
not disposed to wish it enlarged by the addition of a single paragraph. The 
fact that this Manual has gone through seven or eight editions iii Germany, 
a country, most of all, celebrated for classical attainments, is of itself no 
mean commendaticm of its excellence ; and it is somewhat singular thai 
three or four eminent classical scliolars, in distant parts of our country, 
were engaged in the translation of it at the same time, unknown to each 
other : so general is the conviction of its utilit); among us. Thougli Profes- 
sor Fiske very modestly coates before the public as a translator of the work 
only, it will be found that many and very important additions and useful 
alterations are made. Besides what is necessary on the subject fo the value 
of Greek and Roman coins, there are interesting additions to the text of Es- 
chenburg respecting the remains of Athene and Rome, and a condensed view 
of the sacred writings, and the writings of the early Cluislians, as found in 
the Greek language. The whole of part five is also added. Professor Fiske 
deserves much from our scholars for this excellent epitome, and I liave little 
doubt that he will be gratified by its extensive circulation and use. It is 
well adapted to our high schools and academies, as well as indisj.ensable 
to the college student, unless, indeed, he would have the trouble to refer often 
to Adams, tempriere, Urtiuhart, and others. In every pulilic and private 
library it deserves a place, and will no doubt find one, when the work be 
conies generally known. 

Very respectfully, CHARLES HENRY ALDEN 

July 7, 1836. 

EXTRACTS FEOM LETTEIIS ADDRESSED TO THE TRANSL.^TOH. 

From Rev. Edward Robinson, late Professor Extraordinary at the TVieolo- 
gicul Seminary, Andover. 
I formerly had occasion to make considerable use of the original " Ma- 
iiual" of Eschenburg ; and have ever regarded it as the best work of the 
kind extant. It is the production of an elegant and philosophical mind, 
perfectly at home in its acquaintance with the subjects of which it treats. It 
was therefore with great pleasure that I learned your intention of trans- 
Jaling and preparing the work for the benefit of American students ; no^ 

3 



[38] 



ODtly because I had entire confidence thai you would do it well, but also 
because you would llius in a good nicasure fill out what has hitherto been 
a blank in English literaluie. 

From his Excellatcy Eihcard Erertlt, formerlij Professor of Oreek Lite- 
mature in Harvard Uitivtrsily. 
I am acquainted wilh ihe work in the original, and have always regarded 
it as one of the best of the class. I know of no volume which contains so 
much information, in eveiy dcj»arlment of classical literature. I have, of 
course, had very little lime, since I received your translation, to form an 
opinion, by actual examinulinn, of its merits ; but as far as 1 liave looked 
into it, and after a cursory perusal of a few of the leading chapters, I feel 
warranted in saying tliat you have augmented considerably the value of the 
work. I regard your translation of it as an important service rendered to 
the study of classical literature. 

T7ie foUowi7ig is from Mr. Solomon Stoddard, latehj a Teacher in Yale 
College, ami in the New Haven Gymnasium, and one of ihe authors qftha 
KewlMtiyi Grammar. 

Professor Fiske has rendered an important Service to the cause of clas- 
sical learning, by his translation of the " Blanual" of Eschenlmrg. The 
original woik contains a large amount of valuable matter in a comprehen- 
sive and convenient form ; and the additions of the translator are judicious 
and important. As a whole, it furnishes such a storehouse of information 
to the classical student as is not otherwise accessible to him, except ia 
large and numerous volumes. I cordially recoraniend it to tJie attention 
and the study of teachers and scholars. 

Thefulloicing is from a letter from Rev. 7-Ioses Stuart, Professor of Sacred. 
Literature in the Theological Seminary , Amtwer. 

As to the value of " Eschenburg," tliere can, I think, be but one opinion 
among competent judges. We surely have no work in English which will 
compare wilh it. I hope that it will be introduced, and made a necessary 
pan of apparatus, in every I.aiin and Greek school and in every college in 
our country. The additidus which you have made in the notes, and in 
Part v., will surely be deemed an important part of the Iwok, for American 
students. If minute investigators in Biljliography, Mytliology, &c., should 
discovEr some errors in your book, you must not be disheartened, but rather 
cncounged lo go on with your plan. In a work of such a nature, to avoid 
all error in the inuiunerable lacts and dates which are slated, is out of 
question. 

Frotn the Boston Recorder. 

We have no hesitation in saying, this is the most comprehensive and 
valuable work of the kind which lias appeared in the Enclish language. 
Eschenburg was one of the most distinguished scholars of Germany. Six 
editions of liis work were published before his death, (in ISJt),) to each of 
which useful improvements were made under his own eye. A French 
translator of the work remarks, " It is sufficient encomium on the book, that 
it has been adopted as the basis of public and private instruction in tha 
major part of ilie universities and colleges in Germany." The present 
volume is divided into five jiarls : 1. Archaeology of Literature and Art; 
IT. History of Ancient Literature, Greek and Roman ; III. Mytholoiry of tha 
(irceks and Romans; IV. Greek and Roman Antiquities; V. (^lassical 
Geography and Chronology. The work is divided into sections of great 
tonvenietlce for reference. The intervals are occupied wilh notes, illus- 
trations, and references, by Professor Fiske. Tliese are very numerous 
and valuable, as they render more complete the dcsisn of the work, and 
furnish a vast amount of important matter in a small compass. The notes 
and references do great honour lo the translator, as an accomplished, judi- 
cious, and dilisent scholar. 



[39] 

From. Professor Beck, Rtttger's College, New Brunszcick, N. J. 
' " The Book of Science," by Mr. J. M. Moffat, which forms the basis of 
the present volumes, (Scientific Class Book.) has already become exten- 
Bively and deservedly popular in England. Professor Johnson, the Aineri- 
can editor of these volumes, has greatly improved them by correcting many 
of the errors contained in the original works, and by the addition of many 
interesting notes, of a set of questions for examination, lists of works for 
reference, &c. They are very properly styled "A Familiar Introduction to 
the Principles of Physical Science." On eacli of the subjects treated of, 
there is an amount of information in these volumes which is seldom found 
in elementary treatises of this description; while this information is set 
forth in such a manner as peculiarly to engage the attention of the pupil. 
In their composition, the best authorities have been consulted, and " due 
acknowledgments have been made wherever they seemed to be required." 
These works are indeed what they purport to be— Saew^j^c Class Books; 
and Professor Johnson deserves well of the friends of science for the lalwur 
which he has devoted to the preparing of them for the American public. 
If the friends of education are really in earnest in the business of improve- 
ment, these books will soon take the place of those incorrect and detective , 
treatises on the various Ijranches of physical science which most unfortu- 
nately are now so generally adopted. 

Refuge, near Mechanicsbiirg, Pa., June 15, 1836. 
Gentlemen : — I have examined your " Scientific Class Book," Parts I. and 
n. As the result of my examination, I am happy to state that in tliese 
books I found a work well adapted to, and much wanted in our schools. 
The editor, Professor Johnson, has evinced a sound judgment in the addi- 
tions made; and you, as publishers, have conferred a lasting favour upoa 
the public in givin" this judicious work circulation, and I trust it will be 
generally introduced in all our schools and families. I can recommend it. 
as one of the best works extant, on the physical sciences. I shall cordially 
use my influence to give the work an extended introduction into schools, 
lyceimis, and families. 

J. D. RUPP, 

Agent fur the Pa. Lyceum. 

The aullior of the "Sacred History of the Deluge," in a condensed form, 
exhibits extensive research, presents numerous facts interesting and in- 
structive, and clothes his ideas in a style transparent, pure, and agreeable. 
The history, as a whole, deserves praise. The lively fancy, the copious 
information, and the cultivated judgment of its author, are conspicuous 
throughout. The devout Christian who reads it will assuredly feel his be- 
lief strengthened. 

JOHN M'INTYRE. 

Pine street, Philadelphia, April 11, 1836. 

From Charles Henry Alden, A.M., Chairman of Examining Committee qf 

the American Association for the Supply of Tochers. 
Mr. Edwakd C. Biddle,— 

I have examined with great interest your "Etymological Dictionary," and 
I am convinced that its use will prove of immense benefit to pupils aivij 
Students of every age. While its prominent design is to furnish a correct 
knowledge of our language, it will- serve also as a most admirable appa- 
ratus for mental discipline. To the teacher who is not acquainted with the 
Latin and Greek languages, this work is invaluable; and even to the clas- 
sical scholar, the number of derivatives placed after the several roots, will 
suggest shades of si^nifi^calion invaluable to him who is desirous of expreas- 
inc nis thoughts in definitive terms. 

Dr. Keagy's Introduction is such as a mind like his might be supposed t» 
produce. Successfully devoted to elementary instruction for several years, 
and havin" given his attention very much to what may be called the phi- 
losophy of education, he lias here put together a series of facts, and from 
Ihsm deduced principles of primary interest to all, especially to parents 
and teachers. The work ought to be adopted as a text book in our hijU 
achools, and be possessed and daily used by our students in college 




The Siorming of Siouy Point, p. 26S. 



A HISTORY 

OF 

THE UNITED STATES; 

FOR THE 

USE OF SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. 
BY JOPIN VrOST. 




WashJDglon liking leave of the Officers of the Army, p. 302. 



NEW EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

EDWARD C. BIDDLE, 23 MINOR STREET. 
1837. 



V-)7r 



d 

ADVERTISEMENT JV Q Ql 

TO THE SECOND EDITION. 

As the alterations and corrections in this edition refer chiefly to 
single words and dates, it will be found to contain nothing which 
will prevent its being conveniently used in the same class with the 
first edition. As the work is now stereotyped, its present form, 
paging, &c. will of course be permanently retained. 



Entbrbd according to Act of Congress, in the year 1837, by 

John Frost, 

in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Eastern District 

of Pennsylvania. 



J//^/- 



BTBRBOTYPED BT L. JOHNSON, 
FHILADELPHI A. 



» Printed by T. K. & P. O. Collins, 
No. 1 L<xige street. 



PREFACE. 



The utility of history as a branch of school instruction is 
now so generally admitted, that it is hardly necessary to offer 
any arguments in its favour ; and the necessity of giving the 
history of our own country the first place, is equally obvious 
to the reflecting reader. The manner in which this interesting 
subject should be presented to the mind of the young student, 
is the only point of inquiry with writers and teachers. 

In preparing the following history, the author has pursued 
that course which appeared to him best adapted to unite sound 
and thorough instruction with entertainment. Beginning 
with the discovery of the New World, and endeavouring to 
present the series of events in a clear and connected narrative, 
rejecting whatever he deemed irrelevant or unimportant, and 
dwelling chiefly on those striking features of the subject which 
give it vividness and character, he has brought it down to the 
present day. Although the considerable period embraced, 
the multitude of characters and events delineated, and the 
extent of the field in which they figure, have rendered the 
preservation of historical unity no easy task, he has laboured 
to give the work such a degree of compactness as would 
enable the student to perceive the relation of all its parts, and 
to grasp the whole without any very difficult exercise of com- 
prehension. 

Instead of dividing the history into periods, according to an 
arbitrary arrangement of events, he has chosen to adopt the 
ordinary system of chapters, founded on the natural divisions 
of the subject. The table of contemporary sovereigns, irfttead 
of being distributed in small portions at the end of each chapter, 
is thrown into the appendix for more convenient reference ; 
1* 5 



6 PREFACE. 

and a variety of illustrative matter, which could not be em- 
bodied in the text, without disturbing the continuity of the 
narrative, and distracting the attention of the student, has also 
been placed at the end of the volume. 

) A leading title at the top of each page has been inserted, 
with a view to direct the attention of the young reader to the 
principal events, and to assist him in referring to them ; and 
questions are placed at the bottom of every page, for those 
teachers who prefer the use of them to the practice of ex- 
amining the student without any such auxiliary. 

A number of illustrations, from original drawings, are given, 
from a conviction of their utility in fixing on the mind of the 
pupil a lasting impression of the events to which they relate. 
The aid which is thus afforded to the memory and the imagina- 
tion, will be readily understood by any person Avho will take 
the trouble to compare the vivid impressions of historical 
characters and scenes, which he has been fortunate enough to 
receive from graphic illustrations, with the faint ones which 
he may have derived from mere narrative. 

Nothing has been omitted in the adaptation of the volume 
to the purposes of school instruction, which was considered 
essential to its utility ; and if any deficiencies in this respect 
should be found, they ought to be referred rather to an error 
of judgment in the author, than a willingness to spare himself 
the care and attention requisite for making the work complete. 
The volume is submitted to the public with profound de- 
ference ; and in the hope that it may meet with the same kind 
indulgence which has been awarded to previous productions 
of the author, which have cost a much smaller expenditure 
of labour, and whose destiny has been regarded with far less 
solicitude. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

DISCOVERT OF AMERICA. 



Columbus, p. 13 — Portuguese Discoveries in Africa, 14 — Columbus m 
Spain, 15 — Columbus's Outfit, 17 — Landing of Columbus at San Salvador, 
IS — Vespucius, 19 — Fate of Columbus, 20. 

CHAPTER II. 

NORTH AMERICA DISCOVERED AND SETTLED. 

The Continent discovered by the Cabots, p. 20 — French discoveries, 21 — 
earlier, 21 — Champlain, 22 — Quebec settled, 23. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE SPAHriARDS TAKE POSSESSION OF FLORIDA. 

Ponce de Leon, p. 23 — Narvaez, 24 — Soto's Expedition, 26 — Soto in 
Georgia and Alabama, 26^In Missouri, 27 — The French in Carolina, 28 — 
Massacre of the French in Florida, 29 — St. Augustine settled, 29 

CHAPTER IV. 

ENGLAND ATTEMPTS TO COLONISE THE UNITED STATES. 

Drake, p. 31 — Gilbert, 31 — English in North Carolina, 32 — First Settle- 
ment of Roanoke, 32 — Virginia Dare, 34 — Gosnold, 34 — Pring, Wey- 
mouth, 35. 

CHAPTER V. 

COLONISATION OF VIRGINIA. 

A company formed, p. 35 — First Charter of Virginia, 36 — Newport 
sails, 38 — Settlement of Jamestown, 38 — Adventures of Captain Smith, 
39 — The Gold Mania, 41 — Second Charter, 42 — Lord Delaware, 43 — 
Departure of Captain Smith, 44 — The Starving Time, 45 — Arrival of Lord 
Delaware, 46 — New patent created, 47 — Marriage of Pocahontas, 47 — 
Tobacco cultivated, 48 — Tyranny of Argall, 49. 

CHAPTER VL 

VIRGINIA ACaUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. 

Governor Yeardly arrives, p. 50 — First colonial Assembly, 50 — The Vir- 
ginians acquire Homes, 50 — Introduction of Slavery, 52 — The Indians, 52 
— Great Massacre, 53. 

CHAPTER VIL 

INDIAN WAR DISSOLUTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY. 

The great Massacre avenged, p. 55 — Dissolution of the London Company, 
66 — Progress of civil freedom, 57 — Designs of Charles 1, 58 — Indian War, 

7 



8 CONTENTS. 

59 — Episcopacy established, 59 — Virginia adheres to Charles I, 59 — Capi- 
tulates to tlie Commonwealth, 60. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

VIHGINIA AFTER THE IlESTOnATIOX. 

The Restoration, p. 61 — Restrictions on Commerce, 61 — Discontent of 
the Virginians, 62 — Bacon's rebellion, 64 — Heroism of Berkeley, 65 — Civil 
War, 65 — Virginia retains her Freedom, 67. 

CHAPTER IX. 

SETTLEMENT OF MARTEAKH. 

Clayborne's Exploration, p. 67 — Sir George Calvert, 68 — Charter of 
Maryland, 68 — Settlement of St. Mary's, 70 — Clayborne's Disturbances, 
70 — Maryland during the Civil War, 71. 

CHAPTER X. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT OF XEW EXGLANIt. 

Raleigh Gilbert, p. 72 — Settlement on Kennebec river, 72 — Smitli's 
Voyages to New England, 72 — The Plymouth Council, 72 — The Brownists, 
73 — Noyase of the Pilgrims, 73 — Landing, 77 — Massasoit, 80 — Exploit of 
Standish, 80 — Treachery of Pierce, 81. 

CHAPTER XI. 

PROGRESS OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. 

Gorges and Mason's patent, p. 83 — Settlement of Maine, 83 — Of Salem 
and Charlestown, S4 — Of Boston, S5 — Banishment of Roger Williams, 86 — 
Arrival of Peter and Vane, 87 — Aristocracy rejected, 88 — Connecticut settled, 
89— The Pequod War, 90. 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE COLONIES OF NEW ENGLAND rVITED. 

Attempt to revoke the Charters, 92 — Persecution of the Puritans in Eng- 
land, 93 — Xew Enizland colonies united, 94 — Roser \Villiams's mission 
to England, 95 — INlaine united with Itlassachusclts, 96 — Persecution of 
Quakers, 97. 

CHAPTER Xni. 

NEW ENGLAND AFTER THE RESTORATION. 

The Restoration announced, p. 98 — Arrival of the Regicides, 9S — The 
King's Letter. 90 — New Cliartcr granted, 100 — Charters endaiisered, 101 
— Kin:r Philip's War. 101 — Administration of Andros. 103 — Revolution of 
1688, 108 — Border Wars, 101 — Controversy with the Crown, lOG — Capture 
of Loiiishourg, 108 — Question of Boundaries, 110 — State of the New Eng- 
land Colonics in 1754,111. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

COLONISATION OF NEW YORK. 

Henry Hudson's Voyage, p. 1 1 1 — Settlement of New York, 1 1 1 — Argall, 
112 — The New Netherlands. 112 — Governor Stuyvesant, 113 — Colonel 
Nichols, 114 — New York acquires civil Freedom, 115 — The Five Nations, 
117 — .Iiicob Loisli-r. 120 — Burning of Schenectady, 121 — Fall of Leisler, 
122 — rhe Mohawk Warrior, 124 — MTlnr of Fletcher and Wadsvvorth, 124 — 
Piracy — Captain Kidd, 126 — Lord t ornhurv, 127 — Administrations of Hun- 
ter and Curnet, 128 — Of Cosby, 128 — Of Clinton, 129. 



CONTENTS. 9 

CHAPTER XV. 

COIONISATION OF NEW JERSZT. 

Settlements of the Swedes and Dutch, p. 129 — New Jersey granted to 
Berkeley, and Carteret, 129 — Philip Carteret, 130 — Andres, 131 — Bur- 
lington settled, 132 — New Jersey under James II, 133 — Under William 
and Mary, 133. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

coLonrisATiosr of Delaware. 

The Swedes at Cape Henlopen, p. 134 — The Dutch, 134 — Stuyvesant, 
135 — Penn's purchase, 135 — Separation from Pennsylvania, 135. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

COIONISATION OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

William Penn, p. 136 — His Charter, 137 — Landing of Penn, 138 — Treaty 
with the Indians, 13S — Pennsylvania under William and Mary, 139 — Deatn 
of Penn, 141 — Franklin's Mission to London, 141. 

CHAPTER XVIIL 

COLONISATION OF NOHTH CAROLINA. 

Heath's Patent, p. 142 — Albemarle Settlers, 142 — Culpepper's Insur- 
rection, 144 — Separation of the Carohnas, 145. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

COLONISATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 

Sayle's Settlement, p. 146 — Hostility of the Spaniards, 147 — Settlement 
of Charleston, 148 — Sothel's Usurpation, 148 — Abolition of Proprietary 
Government, 150. 

CHAPTER XX. 

COLONISATION OF GEORGIA. 

Charter, p. 151 — Oglethorpe, 151 — Whitefield, 153 — Spanish Hostilitiea, 
153 — Invasion, 154 — Retirement of Oglethorpe, 155. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE OLD FRENCH "WAH. 

Origin of the French War of 1754, p. 156 — The Ohio Company, 158 — 
Fort Du Quesne built, 160 — Conquest of Nova Scotia, 160 — Braddock'a 
Defeat, 161 — Victory of Colonel Johnson, 163 — Campaign of 1756, 164 — 
Campaign of 1757, 164. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

CONQUEST OF CANADA. 

Pitt's Ministry, p. 166— Campaign of 1758, 166— General Wolfe, 167— 
Fall of Quebec, 169 — Results of the Campaign of 1760, 170. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE KEVOLUTION. 

Scheme for Taxing the Colonies, p. 172 — The Stamp Act, 173 — First 

Continental Congress, 174 — Repeal of the Stamp Act, 174 — New Taxes 

-imposed, 176 — Opposition to the Taxes, 176 — AtFair of the Sloop 

Liberty, 177 — British troops in Boston, 178 — Boston Massacre, 180— 

Hutchmson's Letters, 182 — Destruction of the Tea, 183 — Boston Port 



10 CONTENTS. 

Bill, 185 — Proceedings of the Continental Congress, 186 — Approach of 
War, 188. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE KEVOLCTIONAHT WAll. 

Battle of Concord, p. 189 — Boston besieKcd, 193 — Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point taken, 194 — Battle of Breed's Hill, 195 — Falmouth burnt, 198. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA. 

Invasion — Montreal taken, p. 201 — Escape of Governor Carlton, 201 — 
Arnold before Quebec, 202 — Montffomery before Quebec, 203 — Death of 
Montg:omery, 204 — Arnold's Operations, 204 — The Americans retreat, 205 
—Operations in Upper Canada, 206. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1776. 

Attack on Charleston, p. 208 — Defeat of the British, 210 — Indian War, 
212 — Declaration of Independence, 213 — Arrival of the Britisli at New 
York, 217 — Defoat on Lon;.' Island, 220 — Washington's Plan of Operations, 
222 — Battle of White Plains, 222 — Retreat through the Jerseys, 223 — 
Washington appointed Dictator, 224 — Battle of Trenton, 225 — Battle of 
Princeton, 226 — Washington reconquers the Jerseys, 227. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1777. 

The Confederation, p. 228 — American Privntcers, 229 — La Fayette, 
230 — The Prison Ships, 230 — Capture of C.eneral Prescott. 232 — Operations 
in New Jersey, 232 — Rattle of the Brandywine, 233 — Battle of German- 
town, 234 — Battle of Redbank, 235 — Operations in the North. 236 — Loss 
of Ticonderoga, 238 — Advance of Burgoyne, 238 — Battle of Bennington, 
240 — Fort Scliuyler invested, 241 — Murder of Miss Macrea, 242 — Bur- 
goyne at Saratoga, 243 — Battles of Stillwater 244 — Burgoyne's Retreat, 
244 — Surrender of Burgoyne, 246 — The Army at Valley Forge, 246 

CHAPTER XXVIIL 

CAMPAIGN OF 1778. 

Conciliatory Oflfers of England, p. 248 — Death of Chatham, 249 — General 
Reed, 250 — Retreat of Barren H ill, 25 1 — Battle of Monmouth, 252 — Attempt 
to recover Rhode Island, 253 — Massacre at Wyoming, 254 — Defeat of Ge- 
neral Howe, 255 — Loss of the Randolph, 255. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1779. 

Virginia ravaged, p. 257 — Putnam's Ride, 257 — Storming of Stony Point, 
258 — Operations in tlie South, 259 — Defeat of General Lincoln, 260 — 
General Prevost before Charleston, 261 — Siege of Savannah, 262 — Achieve- 
ments of Paul Jones, 263. 

CHAPTER XXX, 

CAMPAIGN OF 1780. 

War in the South, p. 26.5 — Capitulation of Charleston, 266 — Condition 
of South Carolina. 267 — Treachery of the British, 267 — Gates's March to 
the South, 268 — Battle of Camden, 270 — Proceedmgs of Cornwallis, 273 — 
Battle of King's Mountain, 273 — General Gates superseded, 274 — Dis- 
contents in the Army, 275 — The Army relieved and reinforced, 276 — 
— Arrival of the French Fleet, 276 — Arnold's Treason, 277 — Capture of 
Andre, 278 — Mutiny in the American Camp, 280. 



CONTENTS. 11 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

CAMPAIGN OV 1781. 

General Greene in the South, p. 282 — Battle of Covvpens, 283 — Morgan's 
Retreat, 284 — Greene's Retreat, 285 — Battle of Guilford, 286 — Greene 
marches for South Carolina, 287 — Siege of Ninety-Six, 287 — Battle of 
Eutaw Springs, 289 — Affair of Colonel Hayne, 289 — Cornwallis in Virginia, 
290 — Arrival of the French Fleet, 292 — Preparations for tlie Siege of New 
York, 202 — Washington marches South, 293 — Capture of Fort Griswold, 
294 — Siege of Yorktown, 294 — Surrender of Cornwallis, 297 — Its Effects, 
298 — Lord North resigns, 299 — Treaty of Peace, 300 — Discontent of the 
Army, 301 — New York evacuated, 301 — Retirement of Washington, 302 — 
Character of the Revolutionary War, 304. 

CHAPTER XXXn. 

FORMATIOX OF THE FEDEllAl CONSTITUTION". 

State of the Country, p. 305 — Insurrections, 3D6 — Shay's Rebellion, 307 
— Convention at Alexandria, 308 — Federal Convention, 309 — Federal 
Constitution, SlO^Formation of Parties, 311 — Washington elected Presi- 
dent, 312. 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 

"Washington's administration. 

Washington receives notice of his Election, p. 312 — His Journey to New 
York, 313 — Proceedings of the first Congress, 316 — Washington's Tour 
through New England, 316— Debts of the States, 317 — Indian War, 319 — 
Defeat of General St. Clair, 320 — Washington re-elected President, 321 — 
Citizen Genet, 322 — Insurrection in Pennsylvania, 323 — Jay's Treaty, 324 
— Pacific Policy of Washington, 325 — Proceedings of the French Di- 
rectory, 326 — Washington's Retirement, 327 — His Character, 328. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

administration of JOHN ADAMS. 

Relations with France, p. 330 — Intrigues of Talleyrand, 330 — Prepa- 
rations for War with France, 331 — Death of Washington, 332 — Election 
of Jefferson, 334. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

Jefferson's administration. 

Effects of Peace in Europe, p. 336 — Acquisition of Louisiana, 337 — War 
with Tripoli, 338 — Burr's Conspiracy, 340 — Depredations on American 
Commerce, 341 — Affair of the Chesapeake, 342 — Berlin and Milan Decrees, 
343 — Embargo, 344 — Retirement of Jefferson, 344. 

CHAPTER XXXVL 

COMMENCEMENT OF MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION. 

Character of Madison, p. 345 — Repeal of the Embargo Law, 346 — Mis- 
sions of Erskine and Jackson, 346 — Affair of the Little Belt, 348 — Indian 
War — Battle of Tippecanoe, 349 — Henry's Mission, 349 — War declared, 
350 — Effects of the Declaration of War, 350. 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1812. 

Military Force of the Country, p. 352 — The Navy, 352 — General Hull's 
Expedition, 353 — Governor Brock's Proclamation, 354 — Surrender of Ge- 
neral Hull, 355 — General Smyth's Operations, 357 — Naval Victories, 358. 



It CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1813. 

Operations on the North Western Frontier, p. 361 — Siege of Fort Meigs, 
362 — Capture of York, 363 — Attack on Sackett's Harbour, 364 — Operations 
on the Niagara Frontier, 365 — Expedition against Montreal, 366 — Battle of 
Chrj'stlcr's Fields, 3C6 — British Ravages on the Sea-coast, 367 — Sacking 
of Hampton, 368 — Affair of the Hornet and Peacock, 369 — Defence or 
Fort Sandusky, 371 — Battle on Lake Erie, 372 — BatUe of the Thames, 373 
—Creek War, 374. 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

CAMPAIGSr OF 1814. 

Russian Offer of Mediation, p. 375 — Battle of Chippewa, 377 — Siege of 
Fort Erie, 378 — New York invaded, 379 — Battle on Lalte Champlain, 379 
— Flight of General Prcvost, 3S0 — Arrival of the British in the Chesapeake, 
383— Capture of Washington City, 383 — Maryland invaded, 384 — Battle of 
Baltimore, 385 — Connecticut and Maine invaded, 386 — Hartford Conven- 
tion, 387 — The British expelled from Florida, 388 — Attack on New Orleans, 
390 — Defeated, 392 — Peace of Ghent, 393 — United States Bank Chartered, 
394. 

CHAPTER XL. 

AnMINISTRATION OF JAMES MONHOE. 

Relations with Florida and Spain, p. 394 — Amelia Island taken, 394 — 
Seminole War, 395 — Acquisition of Florida, 395 — Admission of Missouri 
into the Union, 396 — La Fayette's Visit — Vote of Congress respecting his 
Services, 396. 

CHAPTER XLI. 

ADMIXrSTHATIOJJ OF JOHN aUIfCT ADAMS. 

Inaugural Address, 397 — La Fayette at Bunker's Hill, 398 — Indian Trea- 
ties, 398 — Treaty with Denmark, 399 — Death of Jefferson and Adams, 399 
—The Tariff, 399. 

CHAPTER XLII. 

ADMINISTRATION OF ANDREW JACKSON. 

Commercial Treaty with Great Britain, 400 — Indian War, 401 — Tariff, 
402 — Nullification, 402 — Compromise Bill, 403 — Bank (Question, 403 — 
French War tlireatened, 404 — Florida War, 404 — Public Debt extinguished, 
404. 

APPENDIX. 

Declaration of Independence, ------- 406 

- • '- • 408 

414 
416 
416 
416 
417 
418 
419 
421 
422 
423 
424 
426 



Constitution of tlie United States, 

Amendments to the Constitution, . . . • - 
Population of the American Colonics, . - - - 
Expense of the Revolutionary War, .... 

Troops employed during the Revolution, ... 
Stanoing Army of the United States in 1836, . . - 
Navy of the United States in 1836, .... 

Indian Tribes in the United States, .... 

Troops furnished by the respective States, from 1775 to 1783, 
Population of the United States, . . . . - 

Commerce of the United States, .... 

Table of contemporary Soverei.'ns, . . . - - 
(Mironological Table, 



List of Authorities, ........ 433 



HISTORY 



THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER I. 



DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 



Several of the European nations have laid claim to the 
discovery of America, prior to the expedition of Columbus. 
The Welsh historians affirm that Madoc, a prince of their 
country, embarked from his native land as early as 1170, 
and, sailing westward, discovered those regions to which 
the name of America was afterwards given. But this claim 
rests upon remote and unfounded traditions, and is, there- 
fore, entitled to no credit. 

Similar pretensions are urged in favour of the Norwegians 
and Icelanders ; but a careful examination of all the authori- 
ties on the subject has led recent historians to the conclusion 
that the discoveries of these nations extended no farther than 
Greenland ; to the more southern portion of which territory 
they gave the name of Vinland. 

To Christopher Columbus, therefore, belongs the glory 
of having made the first discovery of the western world. 
At a time when geographical science had long slept in Eu- 
rope, when distant voyages were rare, and discoverers were 
few, timid, and ignorant, this extraordinary man formed the 
noble design of crossing the Atlantic Ocean in search of new 
regions. His opinion, that such an enterprise would be 
attended with success, was not unsupported by plausible 
facts and reasonings. Though, in the fifteenth century, the 
information of geographers was incorrect as well as scanty, 
certain observations had been recorded which supported 



Who have laid claim to the discovery I Are these claims well founded ? 
of America ? | Who was the discoverer ? 

2 13 



14 



THE PORTUGUESE DISCOVERIES. 



liis theory. From the form of the earth's shadow on the 
moon in an eclipse it had been inferred that its shape was 
globular ; and tolerably accurate ideas had been conceived 
of its magnitude. It was, therefore, apparent that Europe, 
Asia, and Africa could occupy but a small portion of its 
surface, and it seemed highly improbable that the remain- 
ing portion was one vast ocean. Travellers in the east had 
reported that Asia extended very far in that direction, and 
the rotundity of the earth being known, it was inferred that 
the East Indies might be reached by holding a course 
directly west from Europe. 

These reasonings were not unsupported by striking facts. 
Pieces of wood, nicely carved, and apparently borne from a 
far country, had been thrown on the western coast of the 
Madeiras. A tree of an unknown species had been taken 
out of the ocean near the Azores ; and the bodies of two 
men, of strange colour and unusual appearance, had been 
found upon the coast. 

From these circumstances Columbus inferred the exist- 
ence of the regions which he afterwards discovered, and the 
possibility of reaching them by sailing to the west. 

At this period the favourite object of discovery was a 
passage to the East Indies by sea. The Venetians had, by 
their advantageous position, and their great commercial ac- 
tivity, hitherto engrossed the profitable trade of that coun- 
try ; and thus excited the envy and jealousy of the other 
nations of Europe. Their communication with the East 
Indies was principally over land. Others were attempting 
a passage by sea. From the commencement of the fif- 
teenth century, the Portuguese had been extending their 
discoveries along the western coast of Africa towards the 
south, and had nearly doubled the Cape of Good Hope. 
They were destined soon to attain this grand object, and 
establish a lucrative trade in the rare productions of the 
East. 

To find a shorter and more direct route to India was the 
immediate object of Columbus in proposing to undertake a 
voyage of discovery. The rich returns of oriental com- 
merce formed the chief inducement which he urged upon 
those sovereigns, to whom he submitted his project, with a 
view to gain their support and patronage. 



What led him to the unflcrtakiiig ? 
What facts supported liis opinions ? 
What was the pcrand ohjoct of disco- 
very in Columbus's time .' 



What is said of the Venetians ? 
Tlie Poitufjuese ? 

What was Columbus's immediate ot>» 
ject ? 



COLUMBUS IN SPAIN. 



15 



He first applied to the government of Genoa, his native 
country ; but here his offer was rejected, probably in conse- 
quence of the decline of commercial enterprise among the 
Genoese. He then made application to King John II, of 
Portugal, a monarch who had liberally encouraged voyages 
of discovery. Here he met with no better success ; for the 
king, having referred the matter to his counsellors, was by 
them discouraged from lending his support to a project which 
they represented as extravagant and visionary. This wise 
opinion did not, however, prevent the Portuguese govern- 
ment from secretly fitting out an expedition, which was 
intended to deprive Columbus of the glory of his discovery. 
The return of this expedition, without success, having ap- 
prized Columbus of the treachery designed against him, he 
left the country in disgust. It was about this period that 
he despatched his brother, Bartholomew Columbus, to Eng- 
land, for the purpose of gaining the patronage of Henry 
VII in support of his project. The voyage, however, was 
attended with so much delay, that that sovereign was not 
enabled to complete his arrangements, and make known his 
favourable disposition to Christopher Columbus, until the 
discovery had actually been effected. 

Disappointed in his applications to other courts, Colum- 
bus, in 1486, applied to that of Spain. The sovereigns of 
this country, Ferdinand and Isabella, were at that time en- 
gaged in expelling the Moors from Granada, their last strong- 
hold on the peninsula ; and it was not until the war was 
terminated that Columbus was enabled to obtain a favoura- 
ble hearing. He had been for upwards of six years urging 
his suit without success, and was about quitting the country 
for England, when, by order of Isabella, he was desired to 
relinquish his intention of applying to other courts, and 
invited into her presence, with distinguished marks of con- 
descension and respect. 

' The character and disposition of Columbus,' observes a 
recent writer,* ' were such as highly recommended him to 
the rulers of Spain. To that quickness and decision which 
are the usual indications of genius, he added that solemnity 



To whom did he first apply ? 
With wliat success ? 
To whom next ? 

Of what treachery were the Portu- 
guese guilty ? 
Wiio was sent to England ? 



What was his success ? 
To whom did Columbus next apply ? 
What was the result ? 
What were Columbus's character and 
deportment ? 



* In the Edinburgh Encyclopedia. 



16 COLUMBrs IN SPAIN. 

of aspect, and gravity of manners, which the Spanish cul- 
tivate with so much care, and which serve to distinguish 
them from the other nations of Europe. His appearance 
was dignified, and his behaviour respectful ; he was reso- 
lute in his purposes, and firm in his demands.' 

At his interview with Isabella, he relaxed in nothing of 
what he had originally proposed : the conditions on which 
he declared himself willing to undertake the expedition 
were still the same : — ' that he should be appointed admiral 
of all the seas which he might explore, and governor of all 
the continents and islands which he might visit; that these 
offices should be hereditary jn his family ; and that the tenth 
of every thing bought, bartered, found, or got, within the 
bounds of his admiralship, abating only the charge of the 
conquest, should be settled upon him, and should descend 
to his heirs in case of his deatii.' 

He desired that a small fleet should be equipped, and put 
under his command, for the proposed discovery ; and, to 
show his own confidence in the undertaking, he oflTered to 
advance an eighth part of the money which would be neces- 
sary for building the ships, provided he should be allowed 
a proportionate share of the profits resulting from the enter- 
prise. 

Juan Perez, guardian of the monastery of La Rabida, 
near the town of Palos, one of the earliest friends of Co- 
lumbus in Spain, had obtained for him the honour of an 
interview with Isabella. Perez was the queen's confessor, 
and an ecclesiastic of great influence and respectability. 
By his representations, together with those of Alonzo dc 
Quintanilla and Luis de St. Angel, ofllcers of distinction 
under the Spanish crown, a favourable hearing was granted 
to tlve propositions of Columbus. Tliey stated to the queen 
that he was a man of commanding talents and high integrity, 
well informed in geography, and skilled in navigation ; 
they spoke to her of the glory wiiich would result from the 
enterprise, and which would for ever attacli to her reign ; 
and of the extension of the Christian religion, which would 
be disseminated in the countries to be discovered. 

These representations of Quintanilla and St. Angel, and 
the favoural)le state of tlie kingdom, just freed from the last 
remnant of the Moorish invaders, aflorded prevailing motives 
with the queen for engaging Columbus in iier service on his 
own terms. A fleet was ordered to be fitted out from the 



What terms did he olFer to the queen ? I What was their success ? 
Who wcic his friends at court .' Describe Columbus's outfit. 



Columbus's outfit. 



17 



port of Pales. It consisted of three vessels of inconsiderable 
size, such as would by no means be deemed suitable for a 
voyage across the Atlantic at the present day. They were 
victualled for twelve months, and liad on board ninety mari- 
ners, with several private adventurers and servants ; amount- 
ing in all to one hundred and twenty persons. The whole 
expense of the expedition was but about twenty thousand dol- 
lars. But even this was considered by the statesmen of the 
time too great an expenditure for so uncertain an enterprise. 
When the squadron was ready for sailing, Columbus, 
with his officers and crew, went in solemn procession to the 
monastery of La Rabida, and after confessing their sins and 
partaking of the communion, they committed themselves to 
the protection of Heaven, and took, leave of their friends, 
whom they left full of gloomy apprehensions with respect 
to their perilous undertaking. 

It was on the morning of the 3d of August, 1492, that 
Columbus set sail from the harbour of Palos, in the Santa 
. Maria, the largest vessel of his squadron. The others were 
called the Pinta and the Nina : the former commanded by 
Martin Alonzo Pinzon, and the latter by Vincent Yanez Pin- 
zon, his brother. On the 6lh of August they came in sight 
of the Canaries. Among these islands they Avere detained 
more than three weeks, endeavouring to procure another 
vessel to supply the place of the Pinta, which had suffered 
some injury in her rudder. The Pinta was finally repaired, 
and on the 6th of September, Columbus set sail from Go- 
mera, one of the Canaries, and began his voyage on the 
unknown deep. 

On the 13th of September, the squadron was distant nearly 
200 leagues from the most westerly of the Canaries. Here 
the magnetic needle was observed to vary from its direction 
towards the polar star, a phenomenon which had not before 
been observed ; and which, of course, filled the mariners 
with alarm, since it appeared to withdraw from them their 
only guide upon the pathless ocean. Columbus was by no 
means disheartened by this appearance. He invented a 
plausible reason for it ; and succeeded in reconciling his 
crew to their further progress. Their discontent, however, 
speedily broke forth anew, and all the self-possession and 



How did Columbus prepare for em- 
barking ? 

Where was he detained ? 

Where was he on the 13th of Septem- 
ber ? 



What alarmed the crew ? 

How were they reconciled to his 

further progress ? 
What followed ? 



2* 



18 



COLUMBUS AT SAN SALVADOR. 



address of the admiral were scarcely sufficient to preserve 
his ascendency and ensure the completion of his voyage. 

When their patience was nearly exhausted, the signs of 
land began to appear. The water had become more shallow ; 
flocks of strange birds were observed ; a curiously wrought 
stafl' was taken up by the men of the Pinta ; and weeds were 
seen floating in the water, of a kind different from any which 
were known to the voyagers. During the night of the 11th 
of October, a light was observed by Columbus himself, at a 
distance, moving as if carried by some fisherman or traveller. 

This last appearance was considered by him as decisive 
evidence of land ; and, moreover, that the land was inha- 
.bited. They continued their course till two o'clock in the 
morning, when a gun from the Pinta gave the signal that 
land was in sight. It proved to be one of the Bahama 
islands. 

On the morning of the 12th of October, Columbus, richly 
attired in scarlet, and bearing tlie royal standard, entered his 
own boat, accompanied by the other commanders in their 
boats, and landing on the island took possession of it on 
behalf of the Castilian sovereigns, giving it the name of San 
Salvador. 

The landing was accompanied with every demonstration 
of joy and gratitude to Heaven. The admiral and his fol- 
lowers knelt on the shore, and kissed tlie ground, with 
tears and thanksgiving. The natives, who had assembled 
in great numbers on the first appearance of the ships, were 
struck speechless with astonishment. They stood around 
the Spaniards, unable to comprehend the import of those 
ceremonies with which the newly discovered land was 
claimed by these formidable visiters. They considered 
them as beings of a superior order, children of the sun, de- 
scended from heaven to dwell among the inhabitants of the 
earth; little imagining that they were speedily to extermi- 
nate the peaceful nations who then possessed the western 
Archipelago. 

The island was called, by the inhabitants, Guanahani. 
It is one of the Bahama group, and is distant about 3000 
miles from the most westerly of the Canaries. Columbus 
afterwards discovered and touched at other islands in the 



Whnt si^ns of Innd appeared ? 
Who first saw the light ? 
When > 

When (lid Columbus land in the New 
World > 



What is said of the natives .' 
What was the island called .' 
Whfic is it? 

What other discoveries did Columbus 
make on his lirst voyage .' 



VESPUCCI. 



19 




Landing of Columbus. 

same group, and also added the extensive islands of Cuba 
and Ilispaniola to the possessions of the Spanish sove- 
reigns, before completing his first voyage. All these newly 
discovered lands he supposed, conformably to the theory 
which he had adopted, to be at no great distance from In- 
dia ; and as they had been reached by a western passage, 
they were called the West Indies. Even when the in- 
crease of geographical science had discovered the error, the 
name was retained, and it is continued to the present day. 

Columbus's return to Spain was hailed with acclamations 
of joy. His journey from Palos to Barcelona, where he 
was to meet the sovereigns, was a perfect triumph, and his 
reception by Ferdinand and Isabella v.-as attended with 
marks of favour and condescension proportioned to the 
magnitude and importance of his services. 

Columbus afterwards undertook several voyages to the 
New World," planted colonies, and built cities and forts. 
In his third voyage, he visited tlie continent of America, 
landed at different places on the coasts of Paria and Cumana. 
But his discovery of the continent had been anticipated by 
an English voyager, Cabot, as will hereafter be related. 

Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine gentleman, who had 
sailed with Columbus, visited the continent some years 
afterwards ; and published an account of his expedition, so 
plausibly written as to lead his contemporaries to the sup- 
position that he was the real discoverer. The continent, in 
consequence, received the appellation of America ; at what 



What is the origin of the name West 

Indies ? 
How was Columbus received in 

Spain? 



What was done by Columbus in his 

subsequent voyages i" 
Who fust discovered the continent oi 

America P 
W^hat is said of Vespucci ? 



20 



NORTH AMERICA DISCOVERED AND SETTLED. 



period is not well ascertained. Although we cannot but 
regret the injustice of this proceeding, which deprives Co- 
lumbus of an honour so nobly earned, yet the consent of 
all nations has given the name a sanction, which it were 
vain to dispute or disregard. 

It was the lot of Columbus to receive injustice and neg- 
lect in return for the greatest benefits. He was deprived 
of the rewards and honours promised him by Ferdinand 
and Isabella, superseded in the government of the colony 
which he had founded, and sent home in chains from the 
New World which he had ' found for Castile and Leon ;' 
and, after having attracted the admiration and applause of 
the whole civilized woild by the brilliancy of his achieve- 
ments, he was suffered to die in comparative poverty and 
neglect. 



CHAPTER II. 



NORTH AMERICA DISCOVERED AND SETTLED. 



Although Columbus discovered the New World, he was 
not the first navigator who reached the American continent. 
This was the achievement of John Cabot and his son Se- 
bastian ; who conducted an expedition of five ships, under 
a commission from Henry VII, of England, to search for 
unknown islands and countries, and take possession of them 
in the king's name. The expedition was fitted out from 
Bristol, in England, and reached the American continent, 
probably in 56 degrees of north latitude, on the coast of 
Labrador, June 14th, 1497, nearly fourteen months before 
Columbus, on his third voyage, came in sight of the main land. 

If the right of discovery be valid, a point which it is 
hardly worth while to discuss here, England had certainly 
the best right of any of tlie nations of Europe to plant 
colonies in North America. Her claim, however, was 
warmly disputed by Spain, Portugal and France. 

The Cabots made another voyage to North America in 
1498, and explored the coast as far south as Maryland ; 



IIow was Columbus treated by tlie 
sovprcifjns of Spain ? 

What is said of the Cabots ? 

When did tliey discover the conti- 
nent of America f 



Wliat nations disputed the claim of 
Kngland to tlie discovery of North 
America .' 

What was done by the Cabots in 
1498 ? 



THE FRENCH IN NORTH AMERICA. 



21 




Cabol describing his discovery to Henry VII. 



and Sebastian Cabot, who, on account of his nautical skill 
and enterprise, was called the Great Seaman, sailed, in 
1517, up the straits and bay which afterwards received the 
name of Hudson, until he reached the latitude of sixty-seven, 
and a half degrees, expecting to find a north-west passage to 
India. A mutiny of his crew compelled him to return. 

The Portuguese, who at this period were very active in 
prosecuting distant voyages of discovery, fitted out an ex- 
pedition under Gaspar Cortereal. He explored the coast 
for 600 miles, as far to the north as the 50th degree, and 
brought oft' upwards of 50 Indians, whom he sold as slaves 
on his return. (1501.) 

The French were among the early voyagers to North 
America. The banks of Newfoundland were visited by 
their fishermen as early as 1504, and in 1523 John Verra- 
zani, a Florentine, was sent on a voj^age of discovery by 
Francis I. He explored the American coast from North 
Carolina to Nova Scotia, and held friendly intercourse with 
the natives. The French claims to their American territo- 
ries were founded upon his discoveries. 

Another expedition, under James Cartier, was fitted out 
in 1534, and the gulf and river of St. Lawrence were visited, 
many of the harbours and islands explored, and the country 
declared a French territory. The next year, Cartier sailed 
up the St. Lawrence again, and discovered and named the 
island of Montreal. He passed the winter in Canada, and in 
the spring erected a cross with a shield upon it, bearing the 
arms of France, and an inscription declaring Francis I to be 



By Sebastian in 1517 ? 

What was done by the Portuguese ? 

When ? 



By the French ? 
When ? 



22 THE FRENCH IN ACADIA AND CANADA. 

the sovereign of ihe territory ; to which he gave the name of 
New France. 

In 1540, Francis de la Roque, Lord of Roberval, obtained 
from Francis I a commission to plant a colony in America, 
giving him a viceroy's authority over the territories and islands 
on the gulf and river St. Lawrence. Cartier was, at the same 
time, commissioned as captain general and chief pilot of the 
expedition, with authority to raise recruits for the colony from 
the prisons of France, a circumstance by no means favourable 
to the permanence of the proposed settlement. These lead- 
ers were rather too independent of each other. They did 
not even depart from Europe in company. Cartier left France 
in May, 1541, sailed up the St. Lawrence, built a fort near 
where Quebec was subsequently founded, passed the winter 
there, and returned in June, 1542. About the time of Ids 
return, Roberval, with a colony, arrived in Canada, or No- 
rimbega, as it was then sometimes termed, remained till the 
next year, and then abandoned his vice-royalty and returned 
home. He afterward sailed again for Canada, but is sup- 
posed to have perished on the sea. 

The civil wars of France prevented any further attempts 
at colonization in America till 1598, wiien the Marquis de 
la Roche, a nobleman of Brittany, formed a temporary set- 
tlement on the isle of Sable. His colony had been peopled 
by sweeping the prisons of France; and it was of very short 
duration. 

In 1603, an expedition was fitted out by a company of 
merchants of Rouen, and placed under the command of 
Samuel Champlain, an able and enterprising officer, who 
' became the father of the French settlements in Canada.'* 
On his first expedition, he made considerable geographical 
researches, observed carefully the nature of the climate and 
soil, and the character of the natives ; and selected the posi- 
tion of the future capital of the province. 
^ After he returned to France, a charter was granted to De 
Monts to settle Acadia, under which name was included all 
the country from the 40tli to the 4Gth degree of north latitude. 
His expedition left France in 1604 in two ships; and, after 
their arrival in Nova Scotia, Poutrincourt, one of the leaders 
wlio accompanied De Monts, made choice of the spot where 



Describe Roberval and Cartier's ex- 
peditions. De la Roche's. 
What is said of Champlain ■' 



His first expedition .' 

De Monts > 

What was included in Acadia .' 



* Bancroft. 



THE SPANIARDS IN FLORIDA. 23 

Annapolis now stands as the site of a settlement, to which he 
gave the name of Port Royal. De Monts settled on the island 
of St. Croix, at the mouth of the river of the same name, 
but afterward abandoned this situation and removed to Port 
Royal, which was the first permanent French settlement 
made in North America. (1605.) Three years afterwards 
(1608) Champlain, acting in the service of a private company 
of merchants, occupied the site of the city of Quebec by 
raising some cottages and clearing a few acres of land. He 
afterwards took a part in the Indian wars, sailed up the river 
Sorel, and explored the lake which now bears his name. To 
his enterprise and courage the French were indebted for their 
colonies in this country.* 



CHAPTER HI. 

THE SPANIARDS TAKE POSSESSION OF FLORIDA. 

As the Spaniards had been the first nation to attempt the 
discovery of the New World, so they were the most enter- 
prising and adventurous in their endeavours to conquer and 
colonize its extensive and fertile countries. The history of 
their warlike achievements in Mexico and Peru presents ex- 
amples of the most heroic bravery and perseverance, dark- 
ened by many shadows of avarice and injustice. The whole 
nation seems to have been fired with the spirit of foreign 
adventure, and the New World was the grand theatre for its 
display. 

Previous to the expeditions of Cortes and Pizarro, Florida 
had been discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon. This adven- 
turer had accompanied Columbus in his second voyage ; and 
afterwards had been successively appointed governor of the 
eastern province of Hispaniola, and of Porto Rico. When 
he had been displaced from the government of the latter 
island, in consequence of the paramount claims of Colum- 
bus's family, he fitted out an expedition with the romantic 



Where was the first permanent 
French settlement in North Ame- 
rica made ? When ? By whom ? 

When was Quebec settled ? 

Who were the earliest European set- 
tlers in the New World ? 



Who was Juan Ponce de Leon ? 
Where had he served ? 
Under what leader ? 
For what purpose did he fit out an 
expedition ? 



Bancroft. 



24 



DISCOVERY OF FLOUICA. 



design of searching for a country in which, according lo inform- 
ation received from the Caribs, there was a fountain whose 
waters imparted to those who balhed in them tlie gift of per- 
petual youth. Having sailed about among the Bahamas and 
touched at several of them, in pursuit of this fairy land, he at 
length, (March 27, 1512,) came in sight of the continent. 
As this discovery was made on Easter Sunday, which the 
Spaniards call Pascua Florida, the land was called Florida. 
Its verdant forests and magnificent flowering aloes may have 
afforded another reason for assigning it this name. 

It was not till the 8th of April that he was able to effect a 
landing in the latitude of thirty degrees and eight minutes, a 
little to the north of St. Augustine. He claimed the territory 
for Spain, remained some weeks exploring the coast, and 
then returned to Porto Rico, leaving a part of his company 
in the newly discovered country. 

The King of Spain rewarded him with the government of 
Florida, on condition that he should conquer and colonise it. 
This he attempted in 1521, but was resisted with great fury 
by the Indians, who killed many of his followers, drove the 
survivors to their ships, and compelled him to relinquish the 
enterprise. Ponce de Leon himself was wounded with an 
arrow, and died shortly after his return to Cuba. 

In 1510, the southern coast of the United States was par- 
tially explored by Grijalva; and in 1520, Lucas Vasques de 
Ayllon fitted out two slave ships, from St. Domingo, visited 
the coast of South Carolina, then called Ciiicora, discovered 
the Combahee river, lo which the name of the Jordan was 
given; and finally, having decoyed a large number of the 
Indians on board his ships, set sail with them for St. Do- 
mingo, leaving behind the most determined purpose of 
revenge among the injured natives. 

His sovereign rewarded this atrocious enterprise by ap- 
pointing Ayllon to the conquest of Chicora. In attempting 
this, he lost one of his ships and a great number of his men; 
who were killed by the natives in revenge for former wrongs. 
He was finally compelled to relinquish his undertaking. 

In 1526, Pamphilo de Narvaez, the same oflicer who had 



What country did he discover ? 

What was the origin of its name ? 

Wlicn did he land i* 

For whom did lie claim the coimtry ? 

On what condition was he made gover- 
nor ? 

What prevented his retaining the 
country > 



What was his fate ? 
What was done by Orijalva ? When ' 
By Ayllon ? When f 
How was he rewarded ? 
What was his success .' 
What was attempted by Narvaez ' 
When ? 



FERDINAND DE SOTO. 



25 




Ponce de Leon repulsed by the Indians. 

been sent by Velasquez to supersede Cortes in Mexico, 
attempted the conquest of Florida. This expedition was 
signally disastrous. The Spaniards landed near Appalachee 
bay, marched into the interior, and spent six months, in 
various hardships and conflicts with the Indians, and at last 
found their way back to the sea shore, somewhere near the 
bay of Pensacola. Here they fitted out boats, and embark- 
ing were shipwrecked near the mouth of the Mississippi. 
Only four or five out of three hundred reached Mexico to 
tell the story of their disasters. These men gave such 
flattering accounts of the riches of the country, that their 
sufferings by no means deterred others from attempting its 
subjugation. 

The next Spanish adventurer on the shores of the United 
States was Ferdinand de Soto, a highly distinguished officer, 
who had shared the glory and wealth obtained by Pizarro in 
the conquest of Peru. Returning to Spain after the most 
brilliant success in that country, he demanded of Charles V 
to conquer Florida at his own cost ; and received from that 
monarch a commission for that purpose, together with the 
government of Cuba. (1537.) 

Multitudes of adventurers flocked to his standard. Ex- 
pectation had been raised to the greatest height by the 
exaggerated accounts of the wealth of Florida; and men of 
all classes sold their possessions in Spain to fit themselves 
out for a conquest which promised to outshine those of 
Mexico and Peru, in the brilliancy of its results. 



Describe his expedition. 

How many of his 300 men survived ? 

Who was Ferdinand de Soto ? 



Under whom had he served ? 

In what country ? 

What did he offer to Charles V ? 



26 



SOTO S EXPEDITION. 



Soto selected six hundred of the choicest men for his 
companions, and sailed to Cuba. (1538.) Here he was 
joined by other adventurers, and having completed his pre- 
parations, he embarked for Florida in May, 1539. Having 
arrived in the bay of Spiritu Santo, he sent back most of his 
ships to Havanna, and commenced his march into the interior 
— a march which has no parallel in the history of adventure. 
Fired by the example of their countrymen in the more 
southern regions, the Spaniards advanced as if to certain 
conquest and wealth. They were abundantly supplied with 
provisions and munitions of war, horses for the cavalry, and 
blood hounds for hunting the natives; and their numbers 
exceeded those of the armies which had conquered Mexico 
and Peru. But they were destined for a far different fate. 
Their grand error, the pursuit of gold, was the source of 
endless disasters and sufferings. 

The Indians, who were determined in their hostility to 
the invaders, had recourse to stratagem, as well as force, in 
order to get rid of them. "They continually deceived the 
Spaniards by representing to them that, by continuing their 
march into the interior, they would at last arrive at a region 
abounding with gold — and deluded, again and again, by this 
plausible story, Soto passed onward from tribe to tribe, and 
from river to river, until his splendid and well appointed 
army had melted away to a mere handful of men, worn out 
with sufferings, and destitute of the means of subsistence or 
defence. 

Setting out from the bay of Spiritu Santo in June, 1539, 
they spent the time in wandering through forests and 
morasses, until October, when they found themselves in the 
neighbourhood of Appalachee bay. — The men were dis- 
pirited ; and desired to return home ; but Soto would not 
hear of such a measure ; he sent to Cuba for supplies for 
the next year's expedition. 

In March, 1540, deluded by the promise of an Indian guide 
to conduct him to a country where gold was abundant, Soto 
set forth again and marched towards the north-easi, till they 
reached the Ogecliee, and then through the country of the 
Cherokees, now a part of the gold region ; but without dis- 
covering any of the precious metal. From Georgia the 



IIow many adventurers accompanied 

him ? 
Wlion did he sail ' 
Where di<l he land ? 
DesciiLie Jiis army. 



What was his error? 
When did his march begin ? 
Where were the Spaniards in October .' 
Whiilier did they march in the suc- 
ceeding spring ? 



SOTO IN MISSOURI. 



27 



Spaniards passed into Alabama, and in October fought a 
severe battle with the Indians, at a town which was then 
called Mavilla or Mobile, on the Alabama, above the junction 
of the Tombecbee. In this engagement 2500 Indians are 
said to have fallen. The town was burned. The Spaniards 
had 18 killed and 150 wounded, and lost a part of their 
horses and all their baggage, which was burned in the town. 

Having received supplies from Cuba, Soto now marched 
towards the north and west. In December, 1540, he had 
reached the upper part of the Mississippi, where he wintered 
in a deserted town of the Chickasaws. In the spring he 
demanded of them 250 men, to carry the baggage of the 
soldiers. The Indians, instead of complying with this 
unwarrantable requisition, set fire to the town in which the 
Spaniards were encamped, in the night, and attacked them 
with great fury. The loss of men in this encounter was 
trifling, but the Spaniards suflTered severely from the destruc- 
tion of their clothing, their arms, and a part of their horses. 
The Indians knew not how to follow up their first advantage, 
and the invaders were soon in a condition to continue their 
progress to the west. 

In April, 1541, Soto discovered the Mississippi, being 
the first European who visited that river. In June he had 
crossed it; and reached Missouri; and duviiur the summer 
he is supposed to have penetrated as far as the highlands of 
the White river, 200 miles from the Mississippi. Thence 
he turned towards the south, and passed through Arkansas 
into Louisiana. His wanderings and contests with the 
Indians continued until May 21st, 1542, when, worn out 
with sickness and fatigue, the unfortunate Soto died, on the 
banks of the great river which he had discovered. To con- 
ceal his death from the Indians his followers sunk his body 
in the middle of the stream. 

' The discoverer of the Mississippi,' says Bancroft, from 
whose eloquent history we have condensed this brief account 
of his expedition — ' the discoverer of the Mississippi slept 
beneath its waters. He had crossed a large part of the con- 
tinent in search of gold, and found nothing so remarkable 
as his burial place.' 



Where did they fight a battle with 

the Indians ? When ? 
What was the result ? 
What transpired in December ? 
In the spring ? 
What did the Spaniards lose ? 



How did the Indians use their advan- 
tage ? 
What did Soto discover in April, 1541 ? 
How far did he go to the west ? 
To what place did he return ? 
When did he die ? 



28 



THE FRENCH IN CAROLINA. 



He had been the soul of the enterprise ; and when he had 
perished, the remnant of his followers were only anxious for 
a safe passage to their countrymen. Under the conduct of 
Moscoso, their new leader, they attempted to reach Mexico, 
and marched 300 miles westward from the Mississippi. But 
the Red river was swollen so as to present an impassable 
barrier to their further progress, and they were compelled to 
return and prepare boats for passing down the Mississippi to 
the gulf of Mexico — an undertaking of great difficulty and 
danger, which was not accomplished until July 18th, 1543. 
Fifty days afterwards the remnant of Soto's splendid company 
of adventurers, now reduced to 311 in number, arrived at 
the province of Panuco in Mexico. 

Thus far the Spaniards, although they claimed the whole 
coast of the United States under the name of Florida, had not 
effected a single settlement on the soil. For some years after 
Soto's failure the design seems to have been abandoned ; until 
an attempt of the French to establish a colony in Florida 
awakened the jealousy of the Spaniards, and brought them 
forward once more, to revive and make good their claim to 
the land which had cost them so much blood and treasure. 

Gaspard de Coligny, admiral of France, conceived the 
design of establishing a colony of French Protestants in 
Amcrii-a, which should afford a refuge to those who were 
persecuted for their religious opinions, during the civil wars 
with which his country was disturbed in the reign of Charles 
IX. lie obtained a commission for this purpose from the 
king ; and intrusted the expedition to John Ribault, who 
sailed with a squadron in February, 1562. 

Having arrived on the coast of Florida in the latitude of 
St. Augustine, Ribault explored the coast, discovered the river 
St. Johns, which he called the river of May, and visited Port 
Royal entrance, near Beaufort, and having left a colony of 
26 persons at a fort which he named Carolina in honour of 
Charles IX, he returned to France. The civil wars in that 
kingdom being revived, no reinforcements were sent out to 
the colony, and it was speedily abandoned. 

On the return of peace (1564) Coligny was enabled to send 
out a new expedition under Laudonniere, an able and intelli- 
gent commander, who arrived on the coast of Florida in June, 



What course did his followers take ? 

Under what commander .' 

What caused their return ? 

How did Ihcy reach Mexico ? When ? 

How many of the Spaniards survived ? 



What nation next attempted the set- 
tlement of Florida ? 

Where did Admiral Coligny plant a 
colony ? When ? 

What occasioned its failure i 



MASSACRE OF THE FRENCH. 



29 



began a settlement on the river May, and erected a new Fort 
Carolina, many leagues to the south of its predecessor. Here 
they had to encounter the usual hardships and privations of 
settlers in a new country, till December of the same year, 
when a part of the colonists, under pretence of escaping from 
famine, obtained permission from Laudonniere to equip two 
vessels and sail for Mexico. But instead of doing so, they 
began to capture Spanish vessels. They were taken and 
punished, as pirates. 

When the colony was nearly exhausted by the scarcity of 
food, relief was brought by the fleet of Sir John Hawkins, 
who furnished a supply of provisions, and made the offer of 
one of his vessels to convey the French to their own country. 
Just as they were preparing to embark, Ribault arrived with 
a reinforcement and ample supplies of every kind. 

The colony had now a fair prospect of ultimate success. 
But it had been planted in a territory to which the Spanish 
had a prior claim, which, although dormant, was by no means 
extinct. An expedition was soon fitted out for the occupation 
of Florida; and its departure from Spain was hastened by the 
report, that the country was already in possession of a com- 
pany of settlers doubly obnoxious to the Spaniards on account 
of their nation and their religion. They were not only 
Frenchmen, but Protestants. 

This expedition, commanded by Pedro Melendez, came in 
sight of the Florida shore in August, 1565. A few days 
afterwards Melendez discovered and named the harbour of 
St. Augustine, and learned the position of the French. Before 
attacking them, he landed at St. Augustine, and took pos- 
session of the continent in the name of the King of Spain, and 
laid the foundation of the town. This interesting event took 
place on the 8lh of September, 1565 ; more than forty years 
before the settlement of Jamestown in Virginia. St. Augustine 
can, therefore, boast a higher antiquity than the Ancient Do- 
minion. 

Meanwhile the French, having learned the arrival of their 
enemies, nearly all abandoned the settlement on the river 
May, embarked in their fleet, and were shipwrecked on the 
coast. The remnant were attacked and massacred by the 



Where did Laudonniere make a set- 
tlement ? 

What was done by a part of the set- 
tlers ? 

Who relieved the colony ? 

What did he offer to the French ? 



3* 



Who threatened its extinction ? 
When did Melendez arrive ? 
What town did he found ? 
What is said of it ? 
How were the French colonists treat- 
ed by Melendez ? 



30 



MASSACUE OF THE SPANIARDS. 



Spaniards, who, in honour of the saint on whose festival the 
victory had been obtained, gave the river May the name of 
St. Matheo, or St. Matthew. Those Frenchmen who had 
survived the shipwreck of the fleet, surrendered to Melendez 
on a promise of safety ; but they were nearly all put to death, 
many of them \Vere hung on gibbets with the inscription over 
their heads, '^Not as Frenchmen, but as Protestants.^ A few 
Catholics were saved from the massacre. After thus extirpat- 
ing the French colony, the Spaniards sailed for their native 
country, leaving a force in possession of the settlement. 

As the French government took no measures for punishing 
this aggression, Dominic de Gourgues, a French officer of 
some distinction, fitted out an expedition of three ships and 
one hundred and fifty men at his own cost, (1568,) for the 
express purpose of avenging his murdered countrymen. He 
surprised the forts on the river St. Matheo, and captured a 
considerable number of prisoners, who were forthwith hanged 
upon trees with the inscription over their heads, ' / do not 
this as unto Spaniards or mariners, but as unto traitors^ 
robbers, and murderers.^ He then embarked without at- 
tempting to keep possession of his conquest. His acts were 
disavowed by the French government, and the Spaniards 
continued to hold the colony. 

Thus it appears, that up to the year 1568, the Spaniards 
were the only nation holding possessions within the territory 
at present belonging to the United States. It was nearly forty 
years after this that England began the settlement of Virginia. 



CHAPTER IV. 

ENGLAND ATTEMPTS TO COLONIZE THE UNITED STATES. 

The fisheries of Newfoundland appear to have been visited 
frequently, if not annually, by the English as well as the 
French navigators, during the early part of the sixteenth 
century ; and both nations cherished the design of founding 
colonies in North America. We have already shown that 
Nova Scotia was settled by the French in 1605, and Canada 
in J 008. 



How was this revenged ? 

Hy wliom .' 

Wliut i>;irt of North America was 



visited bj- the French and English 
in the early part of the IGth cen- 
tury f 



SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 



81 



Previous to these settlements the English were by no means 
inactive in the career of western adventure. The discovery 
of a north-west passage to India was a favourite project with 
them, notwithstanding the failure of the Cabots in attempting 
it. An expedition for this purpose was fitted out by Martin 
Frobisher, under the patronage of Dudley, Earl of Warwick, 
in 1576. It consisted of two small barks, of twenty and 
twenty-five tons burden, one of which was lost on the outward 
passage. With the remaining vessel Frobisher pursued his 
voyage ; landed on the coast of Labrador, and brought away 
some of the mineral productions of the country. On his re- 
turn one of the stones he had found was thought, by the 
English refiners, to contain gold. This circumstance gave a 
new direction to British enterprise, and gold became now the 
grand object of discovery. Queen Elizabeth contributed to 
the fitting out of a new expedition, which returned laden with 
what was supposed to be gold ore, but was soon discovered to 
be worthless earth. (1577.) Not discouraged by this result, 
the queen lent her aid to a new enterprise, which had for its 
objects the permanent settlement of that high northern region, 
and the working of its supposed mines of gold. Fifteen 
vessels, carrying one hundred settlers, many of whom were 
sons of the English gentry, were despatched in pursuit of 
boundless wealth in the New World. The fleet encountered 
great difficulties and dangers among the currents and islands 
of ice, with which the northern seas abounded ; the settlers 
were afraid to remain in so dreary a region ; and their hopes 
of bringing home cargoes of gold ore were, of course, as futile 
as those of their predecessors. 

While these attempts were made on the eastern coast of 
North America, Sir Francis Drake, in one of his cruises in 
search of Spanish merchantmen in the Pacific, thought proper 
to explore the western coast in hopes of finding the supposed 
northern strait connecting the two oceans. He sailed as far 
as the forty-third degree of north latitude, and was conse- 
quently the first Englishman who visited the Oregon territory. 
(1579.) 

The plan of colonisation was, meanwhile, revived by Sir 
Humphrey Gilbert, a man of intelligence and singular intre- 
pidity, who, having obtained a charter from Queen Elizabeth, 



What was the object of Frobisher's 

expedition ? 
Where did he land ? 
What did he bring away ? 
What occasioned a new expedition ? 



What was the result ? 

What was the result of the third 

expedition ? 
What discovery was made by 

Drake ? 



32 



ENGLISH IN NORTH CAROLINA. 



sailed from England with a small fleet in 1579, in hopes of 
establishing a permanent colony : but the loss of one of his 
ships and other disasters compelled him to return. A new 
squadron was fitted out by the joint exertions of Gilbert and 
his step-brother, Walter Raleigh, in 1583. Nothing more 
was accomplished by this expedition, than the empty cere- 
mony of taking possession of Newfoundland in the queen's 
name, and the discovery of some earth which was falsely 
supposed to contain silver. On the passage home, the small 
vessel in which the unfortunate Gilbert sailed was foundered. 
Her companion reached England in safety. 

Not disheartened by the sad fate of liis step-brother, Raleigh 
determined to found a colony farther to the south. For this 
purpose, having obtained a patent from the queen, he de- 
spatched two vessels under the command of Amidas and 
Barlow, who arrived on the shores of Carolina in July, 1584, 
and after sailing along the coast for a distance of one hundred 
miles, landed on the island of Wococken, the southernmost 
of the islands forming Ocracock inlet. They were delighted 
with the rich and verdant appearance of the country, and the 
mild and gentle manners of the natives ; and having explored 
Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and Roanoke island, and 
induced two of the natives to accompany them, they returned 
to England. 

The accounts, which they gave of the beauty and fertility 
of the country, were so flattering, that Queen Elizabeth 
considered it an important addition to her dominions, and 
gave it the name of Virginia, in reference to her own un- 
married state. Raleigh, who had now received the honour 
of knighthood, soon fitted out a new expedition of seven 
vessels, carrying one hundred and eight settlers under the 
direction of Ralph Lane, who was appointed governor of the 
colony. Sir Richard Grenville, Ilariot, Cavendish, and other 
distinguished men accompanied him. Arriving on the coast, 
the fleet was in some danger of shipwreck near a head land, 
to which they gave the name of Cape Fear. It escaped, 
however, and arrived at Roanoke. After landing, the men of 
science, attached to the expedition, made an excursion, to 



When did Gilbert's first expedition 

take place .' 
What was the result P 
What was accomplished by Gilbert 

and Raleigh's expedition .' 
What was Gilbert's fate .' 
Who were sent out by Raleigh in 
684 ? 



Where did they land ? 

What followed ? 

What name did the queen give tlie 
country > 

Who commanded the next expedi- 
tion ? 

What distinguished persons accom- 
panied it ? 



FIRST SETTLEMENT OF ROANOKE. 33 

examine the country ; and in revenge for some petty theft, Sir 
Richard Grenville ordered an Indian town to be burnt. He 
soon after sailed for England, leaving Lane and his company 
behind. Hariot, who was an accurate observer of nature, 
paid considerable attention to the native productions of the 
soil. Among these were tobacco, maize or Indian corn, and 
potatoes, which, till then unknown to the English, have since 
become important sources of subsistence and wealth in every 
part of the countr)^ 

The Indians were at first considered by no means formi- 
dable to the colonists. Their weapons were bows and arrows, 
and wooden swords. They were divided into numerous 
small tribes, independent of each other. The largest of these 
tribes could scarcely muster a thousand warriors. Their 
terror at the effects of the English fire-arms was only equalled 
by the superstitious reverence which they professed for beings 
who were so much their superiors in knowledge and arts. 

Their fears, however, did not restrain them from attempts 
to destroy the intruders, as soon as they began to suspect 
them of a design to supplant themselves in the possession of 
the soil. They formed a conspiracy to massacre the English, 
and even thought of abandoning their fields in order to drive 
them away by famine. When the situation of the colony had 
become critical, and the people were beginning to despond, 
Sir Francis Drake, with a fleet of twenty-three vessels, on his 
way from the West Indies to England, paid them a visit ; and 
the whole colony abandoned the soil, and returned to their 
native country. (1586.) 

A few days afterwards, a ship, which had been sent out by 
Raleigh, arrived with supplies for the colony, and soon after, 
Sir Richard Grenville, with three more ships, sought in vain 
for those whom he had so recently left full of hope and reso- 
lution, to hold permanent possession of the land. He left 
fifteen men on the island of Roanoke, who were afterwards 
ascertained to have been murdered by the Indians. 

Next year (1587) Raleigh sent out a colony of emigrants 
with their wives and families, hoping thus to ensure their 
permanent residence. They were directed to settle on Chesa- 
peake bay, but the governor. White, was compelled by the 



Who was left in command of the 

colony ? 
What important productions of the 

soil were discovered ? 
What is said of the Indians ? 
What did they attempt ? 



What caused the abandonment of the 

colony ? When ? 
Who arrived soon afterwards ? 
What befell the colonists left by him ? 
How did Raleigh endeavour to render 

the next colony permanent .' 



34 



GOSNOLD IN NEW ENGLAND. 



commander of the fleet to remain on Roanoke. The emigrants 
met with the usual hardships, and many of them only remained 
till the close of the summer. During their stay, Virginia 
Dare, the grand-daughter of the governor, was born, the first 
descendant of English parents in our country. 

Slie remained with her parents after the governor had 
returned to England, and with them she perished in the land 
of her birth. The threatened invasion of England by the 
Spanish armada, prevented Raleigh from sending out rein- 
forcements; and when, in 1590, governor White returned to 
search for his daughter and grand-cliild, Roanoke, the place 
of tiieir settlement, was deserted. The fate of the colony was 
never precisely ascertained. 

When the English had succeeded in defeating the Spanish 
fleet, Sir Walter Raleigh, finding his fortune too much dimi- 
nished to continue the project of colonising Virginia, made use 
of the privilege granted in his patent to form a company of 
merchants and adventurers, for the purpose of effecting his 
original design. Among the members of the new company 
was Richard Hakluyt, prebendary of Westminster, a man of 
distinguished learning and intelligence, and the author of an 
extensive collection of voyages. He contributed more than 
any other individual to awaken among his countrymen that 
spirit of foreign enterprise, for which they have ever since 
been distinguished. Although the design of the new company 
was not immediately executed, yet to them we are chiefly 
indebted for the expedition w^hich finally efl'ected a permanent 
settlement, as we shall hereafter relate. 

While their operations were suspended, a voyage took 
place, which had nearly given to New England a priority over 
Virginia in the period of its settlement. This voyage was 
undertaken in 1603, by Bartholomew Gosnold, who, aban- 
doning the usual route to America by the Canaries and West 
Indies, sailed directly across the Atlantic and landed in 
Massachusetts Bay, discovered and named Cape Cod, the 
Elizabeth Islands, and Buzzard's Bay, which he called Gos- 
nold's Hope. On the westernmost of the Elizabeth Islands, 
to which he gave the name now applied to the whole group, 
he landed some men with a design of settling. A fort and 
store house were built; and preparations were made for a 



Did he succeed ? 

Who wns the first Anglo-.\merican ? 

What is said of Hakluyt ? 



What discoveries were made by Goa- 

nold in New England ? 
Dill lu> make a permanent settlement 

in New England ? 



VOYAGES OF PRING AND WEYMOUTH. 35 

permanent residence on the spot. But the courage of the 
colonists failed, and the whole company returned to England 
after a short voyage of four months. 

In 1603, and 1606, Martin Pring made two voyages to the 
American coast, which he explored from Martha's Vineyard 
to the north-eastern part of Maine. His object was to traffic 
with the natives, and in this he was successful. 

Nearly the same ground was passed over in 1605, by George 
Weymouth, who discovered and ascended the Penobscot 
river; and on his return brought away five of the natives, 
whom he had decoyed on board his ship. 

Thus far the attempts of the English to form permanent 
settlements on our shores were unsuccessful. Still these 
expeditions served to keep alive the claims which were 
founded on the discovery of the Cabots ; and the extent of 
the explorations made by English voyagers on the coast, was 
subsequently considered a sufficient ground for expelling, or 
incorporating with their own establishments, the colonies 
which were planted by other nations on the soil of the 
United States. 



CHAPTER V. 



COLONISATION OF VIRGINIA. 

Although the attempts to form a permanent colony in 
Virginia had not hitherto succeeded, many persons of distinc- 
tion in England still entertained sanguine hopes of ultimately 
effecting this grand object. Gosnold, whose voyage to New 
England we have already noticed, succeeded in forming a 
company consisting of himself, Wingfield, a merchant, Hunt, 
1 clergyman, and the celebrated Captain John Smith ; and 
they were, for more than a year, engaged in considering the 
project of a plantation. At the same time Sir Ferdinand 
Gorges was forming a similar design, in which he was joined 
by Sir John Popham, lord chief justice of England. 
■ Hakluyt, who was a participator in the privileges of Ra- 
leigh's patent, was desirous of proceeding with his plan of 



Why not? 

What is said of Pring's expedition ? 

Of Weymouth's ? 



What is said of all these unsuccessful 
expeditions of the English ? 

What poisons now formed the design 
of colonising Virginia ? 



36 



FIRST CHARTER OF VIRGINIA. 



colonisation ; and the King of England, James I, was favour- 
ably disposed towards the design of enlarging his dominions. 
A company was formed by Gates, Somers, Gosnold, Smith, 
Hakluyt, Gorges, and Popham ; application was made to the 
king for a charter ; and one was readily obtained which secured 
ample privileges to the colonists. 

On the 10th of April, 1606, the charter was issued under 
the great seal of England, to the petitioners. Sir Thomas 
Gates and his associates, granting to them those territories in 
America, lying on the sea coast between the 34th and 45th 
degrees of north latitude, (that is, from Cape Fear to Halifax,) 
and which either belonged to James I, or were not then pos- 
sessed by any other Christian prince or people ; and also the 
islands adjacent to, or within one hundred miles of the coast. 
The French settlement already noticed in Nova Scotia, then 
called Acadia, was of course excepted by these terms. 

The petitioners were divided by their own desire into two 
companies ; one consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, 
merchants and other adventurers of the city of London, and 
elsewhere, was called the first colony, and was required to 
settle between the 34th and 4 1st degrees of north latitude; the 
other consisting of certain knights, gentlemen, merchants and 
other adventurers of Bristol, Exeter, and other places in the 
west of England, and called the second colony, was ordered 
to settle between the 38th and 45th degrees of north latitude. 

The intermediate region from 38 to 41 degrees was open 
to both companies, and to prevent collision, each was to pos- 
sess the soil extending fifty miles north and south of its first 
settlement. Thus, neither company could plant within one 
hundred miles of a colony of its rival. 

The patent also empowered the companies to transport to 
the colonies as many English subjects as should be willing to 
accompany them, who with their descendants were to retain 
the same liberties, within any other dominions of the crown 
of England, as if they had remained or were born within the 
realm. The land of the colonies was to be held on the con- 
dition of homage to the crown, and a rent consisting of one- 
fifth of the net produce of gold and silver, and one-fifth of the 
copper which might be taken from the mines to be discovered. 



Who obtained the first charter ? 

From what king ? 

When ? 

What territories did it grant ? 

Did this include French America P 

How were the petitioners divided .' 



What was required of the first com- 
pany ? 

Who composed it ? 

What was required of the second ? 

Who composed it ? 

Wliat privileges were granted to the 
colonists ? 



GOVERNMENT UNDER THE FIRST CHARTER. 



37 



The right of coining money was also conferred on the colo- 
nies. 

The government of the colony, the king retained as much 
as was possible in his own hands ; for it was one of his foi- 
bles, to imagine that he possessed the most consummate skill, 
not only in the construction of laws, but in the policy of 
government. 

Accordingly the superintendence of the whole colonial sys- 
tem was placed in the hands of a council in England ; and the 
administration of affairs in each colony was confided to a 
council residing within its limits. The king reserved to him 
self and his successors the right of appointing the members 
of the superior council, and of causing those of the colonial 
councils to be ordained or removed according to his own 
instructions. He also took upon himself the task, so agree- 
able to his vanity, of framing a code of lav/s both general and 
particular. 

Thus the legislative and executive powers were all virtually 
reserved to the crown of England. ' At this time,' says a 
late writer,* ' the English were accustomed to the arbitrary 
rule of their monarch?, and the limits of the royal prerogative 
were unknown. It was either not perceived, or not attended 
to, that by placing the legislative and executive powers in a 
council nominated by the king, every settler in America was 
deprived of the chief privilege of a freeman — that of giving 
his voice in the election of those who frame the laws which 
he is to observe, and impose the taxes which he is to pay.' 

By the code of laws, which the king prepared, it was pro- 
vided that the superior council in England might name the 
colonial council, with power to elect its own officers and fill 
its own vacancies. The religion of the church of England 
was established for the colony. Lands were to descend by 
the common law. IMurder, sedition, and some other crimes 
were punishable by death after trial by jury. But civil 
causes, requiring corporeal punishment, were decided by the 
council, which was also empowered to enact sucli additional 
laws as the condition of the colony might require. Com- 
merce with foreign nations was*" not restrained either by the 
terms of the patent or the laws. 



What is said of the ki!)2; ? 

What was the form of government 
under the first charter of Virginia ? 

Where were the legislative and ex- 
ecutive powers vested ? 



What remarks on this subject are 
quoted ? 

What were the provisions of the 
laws made by King James for Vir- 
ginia ? 



Hodgson. 
4 



38 



NEWPORT SAILS FROM ENGLAND 



Such were Uie regulations under which the patentees pro- 
ceeded to the arduous task, of founding a colony at the distance 
of three thousand miles from the mother country, in a regioa 
filled with powerful tribes of savages, who, if ihey should at 
first receive them as friendly visiters, would not be slow to 
discover that their occupation of the soil was dangerous to 
themselves and their posterity. 

Having procured their charter, the patentees proceeded to 
fit out a squadron of three small vessels, the largest not ex- 
ceeding one hundred tons burden, bearing one hundred and 
five men destined to remain. Tiiis squadron was placed 
under the command of Captain Newport; and sailed from 
England on the 19th of December, 1606, one hundred and 
nine years after the discovery of the continent by Cabot. 

Among the emigrants were some gentlemen of distin- 
guished families, particularly Mr. Percy, brother to the Earl 
of Northumberland ; but there was a great deficiency of arti- 
pans, mechanics, and labourers, so absolutely necessary in a 
new settlement, and none of the men brought families with 
them, which at the present day we should consider quite 
essential to the success of such an enterprise. On the voy- 
age, dissensions arose ; and as King James had concealed the 
names and instructions of the council in a box, which was 
not to be opened till their arrival, no one could assume the 
authority necessary to repress disorders. Smith, on account 
of iiis superior merit and ability, was particularly obnoxious 
to the other adventurers. 

Captain Newport pursued the old track by the way of the 
Canaries and the West Indies, and, as he turned to the north, 
he was carried by a severe storm beyond Roanoke, whither 
he had been ordered, into Chesapeake bay. Having disco- 
vered and named Cape Henry and Cape Charles, in honour 
of the king's sons, he sailed up the noble bay. All the com- 
pany were tilled with admiration of its extent, the fertility 
of its shores, and the magnificent features of the surrounding 
scenery. 

They soon entered the river Powhatan, which in honour 
of the king was called James river ; and, after seventeen days' 
search, fixed upon the peninsula of Jamestown, al)Out fifty 
miles above the mouth of the stream, as a suitable site for the 
colony. They landed on the 13th of May, 1607; and, hav- 



Wlio commaniled the first expedition 

■ tiiidor this cliaitcr ? 
Wlieii did it sail .' 
What happened on the voyage ? 



What bay, capes, and river ■were dis- 

cdvcicd ? 
Whore did they land ? 
When !> 



SETTLEMENT OF JAMESTOWN. 



39 




Captain Smith showing the compass. 



ing learned, from the papers contained in the king's box, who 
were the appointed members of the council, that body elected 
Wingfield for their president, and •excluded Captain Smith 
from their number, on a charge of sedition. 

A few huts were raised to protect them from the incle- 
mency of the weather, and a small fort for defence against the 
natives. A part of the men were employed i i cutting timber 
and loading the ships for England, while Newport and Smith 
with a small party ascended the river, and visited the Indian 
king, Powhatan, in his capital, which consisted of twelve 
wigwams. His subjects regarded the English as intruders, 
but the king himself manifested a friendly disposition. 

In a month, Newport set sail for England ; and then the 
difficulties of the colonists began to be apparent. Their pro- 
visions were spoiled, and the climate was soon found to be 
as uncongenial to European constitutions as the wild country 
was to their idle and dissipated habits. During the summer, 
nearly every man was sick, and, before autumn, fifty of their 
number had died. Among them was Bartholomew Gosnold, 
the original projector of the settlement, and one of the ablest 
and 43est men in the council. 

The incapacity and dissensions of the council made it 
necessary to confide the management of affairs to Captain 
Smith, whose energy and prudence soon revived the hopes 



Who was excluded ? 

Who WAS intrusted with the com- 
mand of the colony ? 

What were their first proceedings ? 

Who visited Powhatan ? 

How wore they regarded by his sub- 
jects ? 



By himself ? 

Wh(t did the colonists endure after 

the ships left them ? 
Wlio died ? 
Who was afterwards intrusted with 

the manaarement of aflliirs ? 



40 



ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN SMITH. 



of the colonists. In the autumn the Indians brought them a 
supply of provisions ; and abundance of wild fowl and game 
was found in the woods. 

It had been enjoined upon them, by the London company, 
to explore some stream running from the north-west, in hopes 
of finding a passage to the Pacific Ocean ; and Smith, with 
probably very little expectation of making such a discovery, 
obeyed this injunction by sailing up the Chickahominy as far 
as he could in boats ; and then, to gratify his own fondness 
for adventure and research, he landed and proceeded into the 
interior. The parly was surprised by the Indians, and all 
but Smith were put to death. 

In this emergency, the self-possession and courage of this 
remarkable man preserved his life. Taking out a pocket 
compass, he showed it to the Indians, explained to them its 
wonderful properties, and amused and astonished them by 
such ideas as he was able to convey of the system of the uni- 
verse. They already believed him a superior being, and 
granted him the permission which he desired, to send a letter 
to his friends at Jamestown. The effect of this letter made 
him a still greater object of wonder. lie was conducted 
through their villages, and finally brought to the king, Pow- 
hatan ; who. after detaining him some time,' would have put 
him to deaiii, if his daughter, Pocahontas, a child of twelve 
years old, had not rushed between him and the executioner, 
and begged her father to spare his life. At her intercession 
he was saved. 

The Indians now sought to attach him to themselves, and 
gain his assistance in destroying the colony ; but he had suf- 
ficient address to induce them to abandon this hostile design, 
and permit his return. This event was followed by a better 
understanding, and a more frequent intercourse between the 
Indians and his countrymen. 

On his return to Jamestown, Smith found but forty of tlie 
colonists alive, and a part of these were preparing to desert 
with the pinnace. This he prevented at the peril of his life. 
Soon after, Newport arrived with a supply of provisions and 
instruments of husbandry, and a reinforcement of one hundred 
persons, composed of many gentlemen, several refiners, gold- 



What discovery wns attempted ? 
What befell the party ? 
I low did Smith escape ? 
Whitlier was lie conducted ? 
What prevented the Indians from 
murdering him ? 



What events followed ? 

What was the condition of the colony 

on Smith's return to Jamestown ? 
What did he prevent ? 
What relief arrived ? 



THE GOLD MANIA. 



41 




Captain Smith rescued by Pocaliontas. 



smiths and jewellers, and a few labourers. The hopes of 
the colonists were revived by this seasonable relief. 

Not long after their arrival, there was unfortunately dis- 
covered, in a small stream of water near Jamestown, some 
shining earth, which was easily mistaken for gold dust. This 
was a signal for abandoning all^the profitable pursuits of in- 
dustry, in the search for gold. ' There was no thought,' says 
Stith, in his history, ' no discourse, no hope, and no work, 
but to dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, and load gold. And, 
notwithstanding Captain Smith's warm and judicious repre- 
sentations, how absurd it was to neglect other things of im- 
mediate use and necessity, to load such a drunken ship with 
gilded dust, yet was he overruled, and her returns were made 
in a parcel of glittering dirt, which is to be found in various 
parts of the country, and which they very sanguinely con- 
cluded to be gold dust.' 

Finding himself unable to prevent this folly, Smith em- 
ployed himself in surveying the Chesapeake bay and its tri- 
butary rivers. The two voyages which he made in an open 
boat, for this purpose, lasted three months, and embraced a 
navigation of nearly three thousand miles. The map which 
he delineated and sent to the London company still exists, 
and presents correctly the great natural features of the country 
which he explored. 

On his return, (Sept, 10, 1608,) Smith was made presi- 
dent of the council, and was performing the duties of that 
office with his usual energy and good judgment, when New- 
port returned with seventy emigrants, two of whom were 



What diverted the colonists fronn pro- 

fital'le industry P 
How did Smith employ himself ? 



What did he ciTect ? 

To what office was he elected ? 

What kind of emigrants now arrived ? 



42 SECOND CHARTER OF TIRGIN'IA. 

females. The men were not die descripiion of persons re- 
quired in a new country : and Smith entreated the company 
to send him rather, ' but thirty carpenters, husbandmen, gar- 
deners, fishermen, blacksmiths, masons, and diggers up of 
trees' roots, ilian a thousand such as they had.' 

After the departure of the ships. Smith exerted himself to 
bring the people into industrious habits ; requiring them to 
work six hours in the day ; but tliey were still so unskilful 
in agriculture, that the principal dependence of the colony for 
provisions was on the Indians. The number of deaths 
during the season was only seven, out of a population of two 
hundred. 

The company in England had anticipated great and sudden 
wealth from the discovery of mines, as well as from its com- 
merce with India, which they expected their shij>s to reach 
by sailing up tlie Chesapeake and its tributary rivers. Al- 
though disappointed in these sanguine hopes, they were by 
no means discouraged from pursuing their career of adven- 
ture ; and in order to increase their funds, their numbers, and 
their privileges, they petitioned for a new charter, which was 
granted on the 23d of M!iy, 1609. It was not more favour- 
able to civil liberty than that which it superseded. 

The change which now took place in the constitution of the 
colony was a remarkable one. The new charter gave to the 
company the powers which had previously belonged to tlie 
king. The council in Virginia was abolished. The stock- 
holders were allowed to choose the supreme council, resident 
in England, and to exercise the powers of legislation and 
government. The governor was subject to their instructions, 
but might rule the colonists even in criminal and capital cases 
without any other controul. He might also declare martial 
law, whenever he should deem it necessary for the suppres- 
sion of mutiny and rebellion. The people were thus deprived 
of all pK)wer of self government. They were entirely at the 
mercy of the company in London ; holding their fortunes and 
their lives subject to the controul of masters who could be but 
imperfecUy acquainted with their condition and wants. 

The territory of the colony was extended by a grant of all 
the lands from Cape or Point Comfort along the sea coast, 
two hundred miles to the northward, and from the same point, 
along the sea coast two hundred miles to the southward, and 



What is observed ef their habits ? the chief provisions of the 

What is said of the Viiginia compaDj arter ' 

in Enelaiid ^ . -j.:cnt of territoiy did it 

When dkl thej obtain a new diaiter * \ giaot r 



vp into the lasd, thrcM^boat, bam stz to sea, wot and botA- 
west, aad abo aD isbatdt ifia^ withm oae Iwadred mSex of 
the eoast of bodi was. By }4aigBgz parof diiM e i» ot<g Ae 
m^ of the United Slates, wiik oae loot cm Aeeaam.two haa- 
died aules soMh of CNd Pont C^mtoit, sati Ote oifaer two 
hnadied ndles Bonfa of ihe saoK poiat, aad dnwing the m- 
stc^Bcat acroas tiie eoafneat to ^ Pacific Oeeaa, one maif 
aatirfyhiawdf di^ AetaritoiTof the AaeieBtPowiMioawaa 
pretiy cxlcaM it:. 

Ai the time when dits c fcu t n was grated, die 
was ealai^ Iij die ad&ioa of soflK of Ae fiist Baiifi^ i 
gemiTy, most of the coBpaaies ia Loodoa, aad a great i 
of ■cichja te aod tiadenMn ; aad tbej veie d 
fay the naiae of 'The Treasner aad Coaqnay of ^ 
of the City of Loadoa, far &e fiist Coioay ia Yiigiaia.' 

The sefaeoie of odoaisatioa was aow exeeefia^y popriar 
is En^bnd. Great aasbefs of adreatams o^ted thf 
selves to the dMipaay ; aad the h^^e^ eatfaasiasai pserailed 
aoMi^ a& closes of peofile, ia fawomr of leaderiag the aefde- 
neat penaaaeat aad efe^tire. Lord Ddawaae was eoasti- 
faied so^naor and captai a gcami for life, with a ictiaae of 
officers and atteadaats, which wodd hate beea mate 'w i i i jHc 
for a vieooy of Mexico, at a nveh faso- penod of history. 

Nine ^ups aad fire h andl ed eaij^iaais weie aooa ready far 
dqmtwe; ^idthe e^ieditiaa was placed ^sder the i Bieuiua 
of Captaia Newport; who, widi %r Thoaas Gaies aad Sa 
George Sooios, w^ espowesed to sapenede Ae existing 
adauaiitiatioB, aad gOTctm the odo^ tiO Ac asxival af Lord 
Delaware. 

These diree geadeaea cadnsked ia die saae reseid, which 
was parted &oa the rest of da: fleet aad diiveaoa Beisadas 
ia a stoim ; haring oa board aot only the appoiaied firectors 
of the coioay, bat oae handred and BRj tmea, a great portiaa 
of the pnmnoBs, aid the aew coBwssioB and iaaan c l ioa s 
of the coonciL The rest of die fleet aniyed safely saYiigiaia 

*A great part of the aew cospaay,* atua d ia g to die aa- 
tbtrntT of SB old writer, ' coBSBstod of ^naly spodss, packed c^? 
by their friends to escape woise destiaies at faoaie. Aj^i: e 
rest wen chiefly ande ap of poor geadcBea, hraken tn-'^^' 
mea, tbotaea, and aach as were Hadk fitter to sspaA ai^i rz^ 



Wbt posoBS wre aATt-L 





tf& 



44 



CAPTAIN SMITH LEAVES VIRGINIA. 



a commonwealth tlian to help to raise or maintain one. 
They were led by their seditious captains into many mischiefs 
and extravagances. They assumed to themselves the power 
of disposing of the government ; and conferred it sometimes on 
one, and sometimes on another. To-day the old commission 
must rule, to-morrow the new, and next day neither. So that 
all was anarchy and distraction.' 

These disorders were speedily repressed by the energy and 
decision of Captain Smith. He declared, very justly, that his 
own authority could only terminate with tiie arrival of the new 
commission, and he therefore resolved to continue its exercise. 
He imprisoned the most active of the seditious leaders, and, to 
rid Jamestown of the turbulent rabble with wliich it was crowd- 
ed, he detached one hundred men to the falls of James river, 
under the command of West, and as many more to Nanse- 
niond, under that of Martin. These setdo.rs soon incurred the 
hostility of the Indians, and were obliged to apply to Smith 
for assistance. Of course it was promptly rendered. On his 
return from one of his visits to the settlement-at the falls, he 
was so severely wounded Iiy an explosion of gunpowder, as 
to render it necessary for him to proceed to England for sur- 
gical aid. 

At his departure the colony consisted of about five hundred 
people. They possessed three shij^s and seven boats, com- 
modities suitable for the Indian trade, provisions for several 
weeks, an abundance of domestic animals, farming utensils, 
and fishing nets, one hundred disciplined soldiers, and twenty- 
four pieces of ordnance, with small arms and ammunition. 

This provision was every way adequate for support and 
defence, had the prudent administration of Captain Smith 
continued ; but with him departed the fair prospects of the 
colony. The licentious spirits, who had only been restrained 
by his energy, now rioted without controul. Captain Percy, 
■who succeeded him, was by no moans equal to the task of 
governing so turbulent a community, and anarchy soon pre- 
vailed. 

The Indians, no longer restrained by tlic presence of Smith, 
became hostile. They attacked the settlements of West and 
Martin, and compelled them, after losing their boats and half 
their men, to take refuge in Jamestown. The provisions of 



What wns their behaviour ? 
How (lid Captain Smllli rcpi-os 

What befell him ? 
Whither did he retire ? 



(li,-- 



In what state did lie leave the co- 

Imiy .'' 
What ensued on Smith's departure .' 
What misfi)rtiines were the conse- 
quence of this bad conduct ? 



THE STARVING TIME. 



45 



the colony were exhausted; and famine ensued, with its at- 
tendant horrors and criities. This was the most trying period 
in the history of the colony, and was for many years after 
distinguished by the name of The Starving Time. 

Contrasted with that of the administration of Smith, the 
history of this season conveys a most impressive lesson. It 
shows us that no abundance of resources can supply the place 
of prudence in tlie management of affairs; and that a large 
supply of provisions, arms, and soldiers are not so essential 
to the preservation and welfare of a community as a wise and 
efficient government. 'J'he commanding genius of Smith had 
done more for the establishment and continuance of the colony 
than the exertions of all the other adventurers. But he fought 
and toiled only for the community. 

'Extreme suffering from his wounds, and the ingratitude 
of his employers,' says Mr. Bancroft, ' were the fruits of 
his services. He received, for his sacrifices and his perilous 
exertions, not one foot of land, not the house he himself had 
built, not the field his own hands had planted, nor any reward 
but the applause of his conscience and the world. He merits 
to be called the father of the settlement, which he had re- 
peatedly rescued from destruction. His judgment had ever 
been clear in the midst of general despondency. He united 
the. highest spirit of adventure with consummate powers of 
action. His courage and self-possession accomplished what 
others esteemed desperate. Fruitful in expedients, he was 
prompt in execution. Though he had been harassed by the 
persecutions of malignant envy, he never revived the memory 
of the faults of his enemies. He was accustomed to lead, not 
to send his men to danger ; would suffer want rather than 
borrow, and starve sooner than not pay. He had nothing 
counterfeit in his nature ; but was open, honest, and sincere. 
He clearly discerned that it was the true interest of England 
not to seek in Virginia for gold and sudden wealth, but to 
enforce regular industry. " Nothing," said he, " is to be 
expected thence, but by labour." ' 

In six months after the departure of Smith, the colony 
was reduced by various distresses to sixty persons, who 
would soon have perished, but for the arrival of Sir Thomas 
Gates, Sir George Somers, and Captain Newport, from Ber- 
muda, (May 24, 1610.) All determined to abandon the coun- 



What lesson is conveyed by these 

facts ? 
What was Captain Smith's character ? 



To what number was the colony re- 
duced ? 
What did they resolve to do ? 



46 



ARRIVAL OF LORD DELAWARE. 



try, and they accordingly embarked on board the vessels and 
sailed for England. As they drew near the mouth of the 
river, they were met by tlie long-boat of Lord Delaware, who 
had arrived on the coast, with a reinforcement of emigrants, 
and abundant supplies of provisions. They immediately 
returned to Jamestown, and were prevailed on by Lord Dela- 
ware to remain. 

This nobleman was well qualified for his station. His 
mildness, dignity, and diligent attention to business, soon 
restored order, and inspired confidence. The colonists were 
regular and industrious ; and the Lidians were taught once 
more to respect the English character. 

His wise administration was of short continuance. Ill 
health compelled him to relinquish the government; and 
having resigned his a\ithority to Mr. Percy, he sailed for the 
West Lulies. Although he left the colony in a flourishing 
state, yet, on the lOlh of May, 1611, when Sir-Thomas Dale, 
the new governor, arrived with a fresh supply of men and 
provisions, he found it relapsing into its former state of idle- 
ness, disorder, and want. He was obliged to resort to the 
declaration of martial law in order to save the setUement from 
utter anarchy and ruin. 

In the month of August, 1611, Sir Thomas Gates, who 
had been appointed the successor of Sir Thomas Dale, arrived 
with six ships, three hundred emigrants, and a plentiful sup- 
ply of provisions. On receiving this reinforcement, which 
increased tlie numbers of the colony to seven hundred, de- 
tachments were again sent up the James river, and several 
new settlements were made. 

A more important change took place in the new arrange- 
ments with respect to property. Hitlierto the land had been 
possessed by all the colonists in common. Every man was 
required to work a certain number of hours in the day, and 
all shared .equally the produce. Now a few acres of ground 
■were assigned to eacli man, as his private property, to plant 
as an orchard or garden for his own use, though some labour 
was still devoted to fill the public stores. This new regula- 
tion gave a powerful impulse to industry and enterprise; and 



How was til is prevented r" 
What was Lnrd l^elawaic's character? 
How did he govern ? 
\Vho succeeded liim ? 
Who superseded I'ercy ? 
What obliged him to declare mnrtial 
law ? 



Who succeeded Dale .' 

When did Gates arrive ? 

What reinforcement did he bring ? 

What new regulation of property was 

made ? 
What was its cirect ? 



MARRIAGE OF POCAHONTAS. 



47 



the best effects Avere soon perceived to flow from assigning 
to each individual the fruits of his own labour. Industry, 
impelled by the certainty of recompense, advanced widi rapid 
strides ; and the inhabitants were no longer in fear of wanting 
bread, either for themselves or for the emigrants from Eng- 
land. 

In consequence of the extravagant accounts which had been 
sent to England of the fertility of Bermudas, the company 
became anxious to include it within the colony ; and accord- 
ingly a new patent was issued comprehending this island. 
This was a matter of trifling importance, as the connexion 
soon ceased ; but the new patent conferred new civil riglits ; 
it established four general courts, comprising all the members 
of^the London corporation, to be assembled annually, at which 
all officers sliouid be elected, and all laws passed relating to 
the government, commerce, and real estate of the colony. 
Weekly or more frequent meetings might be convened for the 
transaction of ordinary business. This change, of course, 
gave no political ])ower to the colonists themselves. 

Lotteries, the first ever drawn in England, were granted for 
the benefit of the colony. They brought twenty-nine thou- 
sand pounds into the treasury of the company ; but were soon 
abolished as a public evil. 

About this time (1614) an event took place Avhich has 
always been regarded witli great interest by the Virginians. 
This was the marriage of Pocahontas. The circumstances 
which led to it were these : A party from Jamestown, headed 
by Argall, went with two vessels round to the Potomac for a 
cargo of corn. While obtaining the cargo, Argall managed 
to decoy Pocahontas on board his vessel, where she was de- 
tained respectfully, and brought to Jamestown. By keeping 
possession of his favourite child as a hostage, the English 
hoped to dictate to Powhatan what terms of alliance or sub- 
mission they pleased. In this they were digappointed. 
' Powhatan,' says Marshall, ' offered corn and friendship, if 
they would restore his daughter, but with a loftiness of spirit 
which claims respect, rejected every proposition for concilia- 
tion which should not be preceded by that act of reparation. 

While she was detained at Jamestown, Mr. John Rolfe, a 
young Englishman, gained the favour of the princess, and 



What caused the granting of a new- 
patent to the Virginia company ? 

What new rights did it grant ? 

For what purpose were lotteries first 
established in England ? 



Why were they established ? 
What event took place in 1614 ? 
How did it happen ? 
Who was Pocahontas's husband ? 



48 TOBACCO FIRST CULTIVATED IN VIRGINIA. 

desired her in marriage. Powhatan consented, and witli his 
daughter the noble-spirited prince gave his heart. He was 
ever after tlie firm and sincere friend of tlie colony. The 
powerful tribe of the Chickahominies also 'sought the friend- 
ship of the English, and demanded to be called English- 
men.' 

Though the marriage of Pocahontas was hailed as an 
auspicious event at the time, and has always been celebrated 
in the annals of the colony, it never operated as an example. 
The English and Indians would not intermarry, and the races 
have always remained distinct. 

It was in 1613 tliat the famous expedition of Argall took 
place, which seems to have been prompted l)y a determina- 
tion on the part of the English to assert their claim to the 
whole coast of America north of Virginia. In a time of pro- 
found peace, Argall sailed from Jamestown to Acadia, (Nova 
Scotia,) and surprised the small colony at Port Rojal on the 
bay of Fundy. This was the oldest French settlement in 
North America, having been fmmdcd, as we have already 
observed, in 160.5. He found the inhabitants engaged in 
their peaceful occupations, and in amity with the natives. 
They were, of course, totally unprepared for defence, and 
could not prevent Argall from seizing the ships and plunder- 
ing the colony. This was the first act of aggression ; which 
was followed by a series of disputes between France and 
England for the possession of the American soil. After 
Argall had sailed, the French returned to their settlement. 

Argall, on his return, went into New York, then called 
New Amsterdam, where the Dutch had establislicd a small 
colony, and by a show of superior force compelled the Dutch 
governor to submit ' himself and his colony to the King of 
England, and the governor of Virginia under him,' and to 
consent to the payment of a tribute. Argall tiien returned to 
Jamestown. The tribute and homage, however, were both 
refused when a new governor had arrived from Holland with 
better means of defence. 

The culture of tobacco was now, for the first time, becom- 
ing an object of attention. Although the use of it was 
strongly opposed by the company, and by King James I, 
who went so far as to write a book against it ; and although 
the effects of it were always unpleasant, at first, to persons 
not accustomed to it, tobacco has surmounted all opposition, 

Was Mr. Rolfe's example followed ? 
When did Argall's expedition take 
place f 



What did he accomplish in Acadia ? 

In New York ? 

What is said of tobacco ? 



TYRANNY OF ARGALL. 49 

and become a regular article of commerce and consumption 
throughout the world. 

In 1614, Sir Thomas Gates had been succeeded by Sir 
Thomas Dale, who sailed for England in 1616, and was suc- 
ceeded by Mr. George Yeardley. His term of office lasted 
but one year, and he was then succeeded by Captain Argall, 
an able, but avaricious and tyrannical governor. He conti- 
nued martial law in time of peace ; and, having sentenced 
Mr. Brewster to death for contumely, gave occasion to the 
first appeal ever made from America to England. It came 
before the London company, by whom the sentence of Argall 
was reversed. 

The following extract from Judge Marshall's history shows 
the arbitrary and vexatious nature of the laws which this 
governor enforced at the point of the bayonet : 

' While martial law was, according to Slith, the common 
law of the land, the governor seems to have been the sole 
legislator. His general edicts mark the severity of his rule. 
He ordered that merchandise should be sold at an advance of 
twenty-five per centum, and tobacco taken in payment at the 
rate of three shillings per pound, under the penalty of three 
years' servitude to the company ; that no person should traffic 
privately with the Indians, or teach them the use of fire-arms, 
under pain of death ; that no person should hunt deer or hogs 
without the governor's permission ; that no man should shoot, 
unless in his own necessary defence, until a new supply of 
ammunition should arrive, on pain of a year's personal ser- 
vice ; that none should go on board the ships at Jamestown 
without the governor's leave ; that every person should go to 
church on Sundays and holidays, under the penalty of slavery 
during the following week for the first off'ence, during a month 
for the second, and during a year and a day for the third. 
The rigour of this administration necessarily exciting nfnJfeh 
discontent, the complaints of the Virginians at length made 
their way to the company. Lord Delaware being dead, Mr. 
Yeardley was appointed captain-general, with instructions to 
examine the w'rongs of the colonists, and to redress them.' 



Who became governor in 1616 ? I How did he govern ? 

Who was his successor ? | By whom was he superseded ? . 



60 



VIRGINIA ACQUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. 



CHAPTER VI. 



VIRGINIA ACQUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. 



The new governor arrived in April, 1619; and began his 
administration by granting privileges of great importance to 
the colonists. He abolished the practice of labouring for 
the common stock of the colony, a most inconvenient and 
onerous method of raising a revenue ; he confirmed the early 
planters in the possession of tlieir estates ; he removed the 
burdens imposed by the tyrannical Argall ; and he abolished 
martial law. 

By order of the London company, the power of the go- 
vernor was limited by a council, which acquired the right to 
redress any wrongs which he might commit. Last and 
greatest of all, tlie people of the colony were admitted «o 
a share in legislation by the institution of a colonial as- 
sembly. 

The first colonial assembly ever convened in America, 
assembled at Jamestown on the 19th of June, 1619. This 
may, therefore, be considered the birth-day of civil freedom 
in our country. 

The members were elected by the different boroughs, and 
the representative or popular branch of the legislature was, 
therefore, called the house of burgesses, a name which it 
retained so long as Virginia remained a colony of England. 

The entire legislature or assembly, composed of the go- 
vernor, the council, and the .burgesses, met together in one 
apartment, and there transacted the pul)lic business of the 
colony. The laws which they then enacted were sent to 
England for the approbation of the London company. 

Hitherto but a small number of females had emigrated to 
Virginia. Tiie colonists, therefore, could hardly be said to 
have their home in the country. Those domestic ties, which 
attach men most firndy to the soil they inhabit, did not exist; 
and each man directed his thoughts towards the mother coun- 
try as the retreat of his old age. A new state of things now 
ensued by the arrival of a large number of females, ninety 



What new privileges did Ycardley 

grant .' 
What was ordered by the London 

company ? 
What was the greatest of all ? 



When did the first colonial assembly 

meet ? 
How were the members elected ? 
Who sanctioned their laws .' 
What gave the Virginians horties? 



THE VIRGINIANS ACQUIRE CIVIL FREEDOM. 



51 



of whom were sent out from England in 1620, and sixty 
more tlie next year. Being persons of irreproachable charac- 
ter, they were married by the planters ; and the colony thus 
acquired the best of all guarantees of permanence in its insti- 
tutions and patriotism in its citizens. 

The necessity of establishing seminaries of learning was 
now apparent, and preparations were made for founding the 
college afterwards established by William and Mary. 

About the same time one hundred convicts were trans- 
ported from England to Virginia, being the first persons of 
this class sent to America by order of the government. Re- 
moved from the temptations which had been too strong for 
their virtue at home, and placed in a new scene of action, 
many of them became honest men and useful citizens. 

The colonial assembly convened by Sir George Yeardley 
had not yet received the express sanction of the London 
company. This was granted July 24th, 1621, by an ordi- 
nance which may be considered as the written constitution 
of the colony. It was the model on which, with some 
modifications, the political systems of the other colonies were 
founded. It provided for the appointment of a governor and 
a permanent council by the company ; it ordained a general 
assembly, consisting of this council, and two burgesses from 
each borough to be elected by the people, with power to 
enact laws subject to the veto of the governor and the ratifica- 
tion of the company in England. Orders of the court in 
London were not to be binding on the colony unless ratified 
by the general assembly — a very important concession. The 
trial by jury, and the other judicial rights of Englishmen, 
were also granted to the colonists. This constitution was 
brought over by Sir Francis Wyatt, who had been appointed 
to succeed governor Yeardley. 

Thus the Virginians had acquired civil freedom. The 
rights, secured by this, their fourth charter, were sufiicientto 
form the basis of complete political liberty. Representative 
government and trial by jury are justly regarded as the ele- 
ments of freedom ; and when a community has acquired 
these, its future destinies depend, in great measure, on the 
virtue, intelligence, and patriotism of its citizens. 



What provision for education was 
made ? 

What new species of population ar- 
rived ? 

When were colonial assemblies sanc- 
tioned by the London company ? 



What were the provisions of the ordi- 
nance i" 

Who succeeded Yeardley ? 

What had the Virginians now ac- 
quired ? 



&2 



THE INSIAKS. 



The year 1620, so fruitful in interesting events, was marked 
by one which will long exert a momentous influence on our 
destinies. This was the introduction of negro slavery. The 
commerce of Virginia, which had before been entirely mono- 
polised by the London company, was now thrown open to 
free competition; and in the month of August, a Dutch man 
of war sailed up the James river, and landed twenty negroes, 
for the purpose of having tliem sold i:;ty slavery. Aliiiough 
domestic slavery was thus introduced into the colony, its 
increase was very slow ; the traflic in slaves was almost 
entirely confined to the Dutch ; and laws of the colony dis- 
couraged its progress by taxation. 

At this period the colony was in a highly flourishing state. 
The inhabitants enjoyed civil rights, free commerce, peace, 
and domestic happiness. The cultivation of tobacco and 
cotton, hereafter to become so important to the southern 
country, had already been introduced ; and tlie Indians, their 
most powerful neighbours, were their friends and allies. 
Indeed they had never regarded the Indians with much ap- 
prehension. They were not supposed to be very numerous; 
only five thousand souls or fifteen hundred warriors being 
found within sixty miles of Jamestown; and the use of fire- 
arms by the English had enabled fifteen of them, headed by 
Smith, to put to flight seven hundred of the savages. They 
were therefore regarded with contempt; and no care was 
taken to preserve their friendship, or guard against their 
enmity. A law, which had made it penal to instruct them in 
the use of fire-arms, had become a dead letter. 

Security is too often the parent of danger. In the present 
instance, it was the cause of a terrible calamity. The Indians 
had secretly become hostile to the colonists. Powhatan, the 
old king, had died in 1G18; and his son, Oppaconcanough, 
did not inherit the friendly dispositions of his father. A 
deliberate plan was concerted for annihilating the colony at a 
blow, and it nearly succeeded. 

The story is thus told by an old writer: 

' Upon the loss of one of their leading men, (a war captain, 
as they call him,) who was supposed to be justly put to death, 
however, their king, Oppaconcanough, appeared enraged, and 
in revenge laid the plot of a general massacre of the English, 



IIow was slavery introduced into 

Vii-irinia ? 
Dill it increase rapidly ? 
Was it encourageil ? 
What was the state of the colony ? 



Wlnt is said of tlie Indians ? 
Of a law ciHiooiiiinf; them ? 
What was their disposition ? 
What plan did they form ? 



THE GREAT MASSACRE. ,53 

to be executed on the 22cl of March, 1622, a little before 
noon, at a time when our men were all at work abroad in 
their plantations, dispersed and unarmed. This conspiracy- 
was to have taken effect upon all the several settlements at 
one and the same instant, except on the eastern shore, whither 
this plot did not reach. The Indians had been made so 
familiar with the English as to borrow their boats and canoes 
to cross the river, when they went to consult with their 
neighbouring Indians upon this execrable conspiracy ; and to 
colour their designs the better, they brought presents of deer, 
turkeys, fish, and fruits, to the English, the evening before. 
The very morning of the massacre, they came freely and 
unarmed among them, eating with them, and behaving them- 
selves with the same freedom and friendship as formerly, till 
the very minute they were to put their plot in execution ; 
then they fell to work all at once, every where surprising and 
knocking the English on the head, some with their hatchets, 
which they call tomakawks, others with the hoes and axes of 
the English tliemselves, shooting at those who escaped the 
reach of their hands ; sparing neither age nor sex, but de- 
stroying man, woman, and child, according to their cruel way 
of leaving none behind to resent the outrage. But whatever 
was not done by surprise that day, was left undone, and many 
that made early resistance escaped. 

' By the account taken of the Christians murdered that 
morning, they were found to be three hundred and forty- 
seven, most of them falling by their own instruments and 
working tools. 

' The massacre had been much more general had not this 
plot been providentially discovered to the English some hours 
before the execution. It happened thus : — 

' Two Indians, that used to be employed by the English to 
hunt for them, happened to lie together the night before the 
massacre in an Englishman's house, where one of them was 
employed. The Indian that was the guest, fell to persuading 
the other to rise and kill his master, telling him that he would 
do the same by his own the next day ; whereupon he dis- 
covered the whole plot that was designed to be executed on 
the morrow. But the other, instead of entering into the plot 
"and murdering his master, got up, (under pretence of going 
to execute his comrade's advice,) went into his master's 
chamber and revealed to him the whole story that he had 
been told. The master hereupon arose, secured his own 



How was it executed ? | What prevented its complete success ? 

5* 



54 THE GREAT MASSACRE. 

house, and before day got to Jamestown, which, togeihei* 
with such plantations as could receive notice time enough, 
"were saved by this means ; the rest, also, who happened to 
be watchful in their defence, escaped. Captain Croshaw, in 
liis vessel ^t Pawtomack, had notice given him by a young 
Indian, by which means he came oil" untouched. 

' The occasion of Oppaconcanough's furious resentment 
was this : The war captain, mentioned before to have been 
killed, was called Nemattanow. He was an active Indian, a 
great warrior, and in much esteem among them ; insomuch 
that they believed him to be invulnerable and immortal, 
because he had been in many conflicts, and escaped untouched 
from them all. He was also a very cunning fellow, and took 
great pride in preserving and increasing this their superstition 
concerning him ; affecting every thing that was odd and 
prodigious to work upon their admiration : for which purpose 
he would often dress himself up with feathers, after a fantastic 
manner, and by much use of that ornament, obtained among 
the English the nickname of Jack of the Feather. 

' This Nemattanow, coming to a private settlement of one 
Morgan, who had several toys, he had a mind to persuade 
him to go to Pamunky to dispose of them. He gave him 
hopes what mighty ])argains he might meet with there, and 
kindly ofl"cred him his assistance. At last Morgan yielded to 
his persuasion, but was no more heard of; and it is believed 
that Nemattanow killed him by the way, and took away his 
treasure ; for, within a few days, this Nemattanow returned 
to the same house with Morgan's cap upon his head, where 
he found two sturdy boys, who asked for their master, and 
would have had him before a justice of the peace, but he 
refused to go, and very insolently abused them ; whereupon 
they shot him down, and as they were carrying him to the 
governor, he died. 

' As he was dying, he earnestly pressed the boys to promise 
him two things : 1st, that tliey would not tell how he was 
killed ; and, 2dly, that they would bury him among the 
JOnglish. So great was the pride of this vnin infidel, that he 
had no other views but the being esteemed after his death (as 
he had endeavoured to be while he was alive) invulnerable 
and immortal, though his increasing fainlness sufficientlv con- 
vinced him of the falsity of both. He imagined, that being 
buried among the English, perhaps, might conceal his deatli 
from his own nation, who might think him translated to some 



What %vas the cause of the Indian king's hostilit}- ? 



INDIAN WAR. 55 

happier country. Thus he pleased himself to the last gasp 
with the boys' promises to carry on the delusion. The 
killing lliis Indian champion was all the provocation given to 
that haughty and revengeful man, Oppaconcanough, to act 
this bloody tragedy, and to take such indefatigable pains to 
engage in such horrid villany all the kings and nations bor- 
dering upon the English settlement on the western shore of 
Chesapeake.' 

The effects of this massacre were highly disastrous to the 
colony. It restricted the pursuits of agriculture, and occa- 
sioned the abandonment of most of the settlements, so that 
from eighty they were reduced to six or seven in number. 
Sickness was tiie consequence of crowding many people into 
a few small settlements, and some of the colonists were so far 
discouraged as to return to England. 



CHAPTER VII. 

INDIAN WAR — DISSOLUTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY. 

This treachery of the Indians was terribly revenged. The 
whole people were intent on the means of destroying so 
merciless an enemy. The men took arms. A war of exter- 
mination Avas commenced against the Indians, in which 
neither old nor young were spared. That elegant historian, 
Dr. Robertson, thus describes this relentless. war : 

' The conduct of the Spaniards, in the southern regions of 
America, was openly proposed as the most proper model to 
imitate ; and regardless, like them, of those principles of 
faith, honour, and humanity, which regulate hostility among 
civilised nations, and set bounds to its rage, the English 
deemed every thing allowable that tended to accomplish their 
design. They hunted the Indians like wild beasts rather 
than enemies ; and as the pursuit of them to their places of 
retreat in the woods, which covered their country, was both 
difficult and dangerous, they endeavoured to allure them from 
their inaccessible fastness by offers of peace and promises of 
oblivion, made with such an artful appearance of sincerity as 
deceived their crafty leader, and induced them to return to 



To what number were the settle- I How was the treachery of the Indians 
ments reduced ? | revenged ? 



56 



DISSOLUTION OF THE LONDON COMPANY. 



their former settlements, and resume their usual peaceful 
occupations. (1G23.) The behaviour of the two people 
seemed now to be perfectly reversed. The Indians, like 
men acquainted with the principles of integrity and good 
faith, on which the intercourse between nations is founded, 
confided in the reconciliation, and lived in absolute security 
without suspicion of danger ; while the English, with perfidious 
craft, were preparing to imitate savages in their revenge and 
cruelty. On the approach of harvest, when they knew a 
hostile attack would be most formidable and fatal, they fell 
suddenly upon all the Indian plantations, murdered every 
person on whom they could lay hold, and drove the rest to 
the woods, where so many perished with hunger, that some 
of the tribes nearest to the English were totally extirpated. 
This atrocious deed, which the perpetrators laboured to 
represent as a necessary act of retaliation, was followed by 
some happy eflfects. It delivered the colony so entirely from 
any dread of the Indians, that its settlements began again to 
extend, and its industry to revive.' 

While these events were passing in Virginia, the London 
company was rapidly hastening towards its final dissolution. 
This body had become quite numerous, and its meetings fur- 
nished occasion for discussions on government and legislation, 
which were by no means pleasing to so arbitrary a sovereign 
as King James I, Having sought in vain to give the court 
party the ascendency in the company, he began to charge the 
disasters and tlie want of commercial success in the colony to 
the mismanagement of the corporation. 

Commissioners were appointed by the privy council to in- 
quire into the aflairs of Virginia from its earliest settlement. 
These commissioners seized the charters, books, and papers 
of the conipaiiy, and intercepted all letters from the colony. 
Their report was unfavourable to the corporation, who were 
accordingly summoned, by the king, to surrender their charter. 
'J'his being declined, the cause was broiight before the court 
of king's bench, and decided again- 1 them. The company 
was dissolved, and its powers reverted to the king. 

More than one hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling 
had been expended on the colony, and nine thousand emi- 
grants had been sent out to people it; yet the annual imports 



Wlint was the state of the colony 

after this ' 
What rendered James I hostile to the 

London company .' 



llcl;ite tlie ciicumstanccs of its dis- 
solution. 

What had the colony cost the com- 
pany ' 



) 



PROGRESS OF CIVIL FREEDOM. 



57 



from it did not exceed twenty thousand pounds, and the num- 
ber of inhabitants was only eighteen hundred. 

While the controversy between the king and the company 
was going forward, the colonists were continuing to exercise 
the right of self-government. The general assembly met in 
February, 1624. Their most important act was a solemn 
declaration ' that the governor should not impose any taxes 
on the colony, otherwise than by authority of the general 
assembly ; and that he should not withdraw the inhabitants 
from their private labour to any service of his own.' Other 
measures, for the protection of the colonists against arbitrary 
power, were passed ; and ' the laws of that session generally,' 
says Judge Marshall, ' are marked with that good sense and 
patriotism which are to be expected from men perfectly un- 
derstanding their own situation, and legislating for themselves.' 

They resisted the attempt of the royal commissioners to 
extort from them a declaration of unlimited submission to the 
king ; but transmitted a petition to him praying for a confir- 
mation of the civil rights then enjoyed, together with the sole 
importation of tobacco. They also petitioned to have the 
direction of any military force which the king might station 
in the country. All the acts of this assembly indicate a 
remarkable progress of the colonists in the knowledge and 
appreciation of their civil rights. 

King James I was not disposed to yield up a second time 
the unlimited controul of the colony. He issued a special 
commission, appointing a governor and twelve councillors, to 
whom the entire direction of the affairs of the province was 
committed. He did not recognise the assembly as a part of 
the government; but attributing the late disasters to the in- 
fluence of that body, he determined on its discontinuance. 
He granted to Virginia and the Somers Isles (Bermudas) the 
exclusive right of importing tobacco into England and Ireland, 
as had been desired, but totally disregarded the wishes of the 
colonists respecting the continuance of their civil freedom. 
His death prevented the completion of a code of laws in 
which he proposed to carry out his favourite principles of 
government. 

Charles I inherited the arbitrary disposition and despotic 
principles of his father. He appears, however, to have at- 
tached very little importance to the political condition of the 



What di(i it produce ? 

What is said of the general assembly ? 

Of their acts ? 



What was done by the king ? 
What prevented his completing his 
arbitrary designs ? 



58 



DESIGNS OF CHARLES I. 



Virginians. His principal aim was to derive profit from their 
industry. He neither granted nor restricted franchises ; but 
his first act was to confirm the exclusive trade in tobacco to 
Virginia and the Somers Isles, and his next was to proclaim 
himself, ' through his agents, the sole factor of the planters.' 

Sir George Yeardley was the successor of governor Wyatt. 
(1626.) The assemblies were, of course, continued nnder 
the administration of the man who had first introduced them. 
The king did not disturb the Virginians in the exercise of this 
important civil right. Emigrants continued to arrive in great 
numbers, and the agriculture and commerce of the colony 
were in a most flourishing state. 

On the death of governor Yeardley, which took place in 
November, 1627, the council elected Francis West to succeed 
him. During his administration, the king proposed to the 
assembly to contract for the w hole crop of tobacco ; but this 
attempt to monopolise the chief staple of the colony was met 
by a decided refusal. 

In 1629, John Harvey, the governor who had been com- 
missioned by the king, on the decease of Yeardley, arrived 
in Virginia. He had formerly resided in the colony, and was 
personally unpopular. A strong party was formed in opposi- 
tion to him, and when, in some dispute about land titles, he 
was found to favour the court, in opposition to the interests 
of the colonies, he was removed from the government and 
West appointed in his place. He subsequently consented to 
go to England, with two commissioners on the part of the 
colonists, in order that their complaints might be heard by 
the king. 

Instead of listening to them, Charles reappointed Harvey, 
who remained in ofiice till 1639. He has been stigmatised 
by most of the old historians as a tyrant ; but it does not ap- 
pear that he attempted to deprive the colonists of any of their 
civil rights. The assemblies were continued as before, and 
exercised all the powers which they had acquired in Yeardley's 
time. 

His successor was Sir Francis Wyatt, who continued in 
office till February, 1612, when Sir William Berkeley, having 
been appointed to succeed him, arrived and assumed the go- 



What were the views of Charles I ? 
Whnt was his first act? 
His next ? 

What is said of Yeardle}''s admi- 
nistration ? 
Of West's .' 



What governor came oiit in 1629 ? 
What occasioned his return to Eng- 
land > 
What was done by the king ? 
What was Harvey's character? 
What is said of Berkeley ? 



J 



INDIAN WAR. 



59 



vernment. He recognised and confirmed the privileges which 
the Virginians had previously enjoyed, and received the cordial 
support of all parties. Some abuses in the construction and 
administration of the laws were reformed. Religion was 
provided for ; the mode of assessing taxes was changed for a 
more equitable one ; and the people, under this able and 
popular governor, enjoyed their civil liberties without dis- 
turbance from any quarter. 

We must not omit to mention an order of the assembly 
establishing Episcopacy as the religion of the colony, and 
banishing all non-conforming ministers. Missionaries from 
New England, who had come on for the purpose of preaching 
to the puritan settlements in Virginia, were silenced and or- 
dered to leave the colony. This intolerance was in accord- 
ance with the spirit of the age ; and examples of a similar 
character are not wanting in the history of Massachusetts. 

In 1644 the Indians, against whom a hostile spirit had beeii- 
kept up since the great massacre of 1622, made a sudden 
attack upon the frontier settlements, and killed about three 
hundred persons, before tliey were repulsed. An active war- 
fare was immediately commenced against the savages, and 
their king, the aged Oppaconcanough, was made prisoner, and 
died in captivity. The country was soon placed in a state of 
perfect security against further aggressions from that quarter. 
In 1646 a treaty, accompanied with a cession of lands, was 
concluded between the inhabitants of Virginia and Neconto- 
wanee, the successor of Oppaconcanough. 

The colony was now in a flourishing state. Its commerce 
had increased, so that upwards of thirty ships were engaged in 
the traffic with difl^erent ports in New England and Europe. 
The inhabitants, in 16i8, had increased to twenty thousand. 

In the dispute between Charles I and the parliament of 
England, Virginia espoused the cause of the king ; and when 
the republicans had obtained the ascendency, a fleet was fitted 
out from England, for the purpose of reducing the colony to 
submission. 

In the mean time, an ordinance of parliament, of 1650, 
which forbade all intercourse between the loyal colonies and 
foreign countries, was rigorously enforced, as well as the act 
of 1651, which secured to English ships the entire carrying 



Of his measures ? 

What act of intolerance was passed ? 
Relate the events of the Indian war 
of 1644. 



What is said of the commerce of Vir- 
ginia ? 

Of the civil war in England ? 

For what purpose was a fleet fitted 
out? 



60 



VIRGINIA CAPITULATES. 



trade with England. AV^hen the fleet arrived, commissioners 
were instructed to reduce the colony to submission. It was 
found that parliament oftered to the colonists, provided they 
would adhere to the commonwealth, all the liberties of Eng- 
lishmen, with an amnesty for their past loyalty to the deposed 
king, and 'as free trade as the people of England.' On the 
other hand, war was threatened in case of resistance. 

The Virginians, with their accustomed gallantry, ' refused 
to surrender to force, but yielded by a voluntary deed, and a 
mutual compact.' All the rights of self-government, formerly 
enjoyed, were again guaranteed. Richard Bennet, who had 
been one of the commissioners of parliament, was elected 
governor, and Berkeley retired to private life. 

In 1655, and 1658, the assembly of burgesses exercised the 
right of electing and removing the governor of the colony ; 
and, on occasion of receiving intelligence of the death of 
Cromwell, they were careful to reassert this right, and re- 
quire the governor, Matthews, to acknowledge it, in order, as 
they said, ' that what was their privilege now, might be the 
privilege of their posterity.' 

On the death of INIatthews, the government of England 
being in an unsettled slate, the assembly elected Sir William 
Berkeley for governor ; and, as he refused to act under the 
usurped authority of the parliament, the colonists boldly raised 
the royal standard, and proclaimed Charles the Second, as 
their lawful sovereign. This was an act of great temerity, as 
it fairly challenged tbe whole power of Great Britain. The 
distracted state of that country saved the Virginians from its 
consequences, until the restoration of Charles to the British 
throne gave them a claim to his gratitude, as the last among 
his subjects to renounce, and the tirst to return to their alle- 
giance. 



What tortus were offered to the Vir- 

ginivins on its arrival ? 
Were they accepted .' 
Who was elected governor ? 
What was done by the burgesses in 

1653 and 1658 



Who succeeded Matthews ? 

What bold act was performed during 
Sir William Berkeley's administra- 
tion > 

Why was it unpunished ? 



NAVIGATION ACT. 61 

CHAPTER VIII. 

VIRGINIA AFTER THE RESTORATION. 

The intelligence of the Restoration was received with en- 
thusiasm in Virginia. It naturally excited high hopes of 
favour, which were increased by the expressions of esteem 
and gratitude, Avhich Charles found no difficulty in addressing 
to the colonists. These hopes they were, for a short time, 
permitted to indulge. The assembly introduced many im- 
portant changes in judicial proceedings ; trial by jury was 
restored ; the Church of England, which of course had lost 
its supremacy during the protectorate, was again established 
by law ; and the introduction of Quakers into the colony was 
made a penal oifence. 

The principles of government which prevailed in England 
during the reign of Charles II, were extended to the colonies, 
which were now considered as subject to the legislation of 
parliament, and bound by its acts. The effects of this new 
state of things were first perceived in the restrictions on 
commerce. Retaining the commercial system of the Long 
Parliament, tlie new house of commons determined to render 
the trade of the colonies exclusively subservient to English 
commerce and navigation. One of their first acts was to vote 
a duty of five per cent, on all merchandise exported from, or 
imported into any of the dominions belonging to the crown. 
This was speedily followed by the famous '■Navigation Act^ 
the most memorable statute in the English commercial code. 

By this law, among other things, it was enacted, that no 
commodities should be imported into any British settlement 
in Asia, Africa; or America, or exported from them, but in 
vessels built in England, or the plantations, and navigated by 
crews, of which the master and three-fourths of the mariners 
should be English subjects, under the penalty of forfeiture of 
ship and cargo ; that none but natural born subjects, or such as 
had been naturalised, should exercise the occupation of mer- 
chant, or factor, in any English settlement, under the penalty 
of forfeiture of goods and chattels ; that no sugar, tobacco, cot- 



How did the Virginians regard the 

Restoration in England ? 
What was done by the assembly ? 
What was now the policy of the 

British government ? 



What act of parliament was pass- 
ed ? 

What were the provisions of the na- 
vigation act ? 



6 



62 



RESTRICTIONS ON COMMERCE. 



ton, wool, indigo, ginger, or woods used in dyeing, produced 
or manufactured in the colonies, should be shipped from them 
to any other country than England ; and to secure the obser- 
vance of this regulation, the owners were required, before sail- 
ing, to give bonds, with surety, for sums proportioned to the 
rate of their vessels. Other articles of merchandise were 
subsequently added to the list, as they became important to 
the colonial trade. 

As some compensation to the colonies for these commercial 
restrictions, they were allowed the exclusive privilege of sup- 
plying England with tobacco, the cultivation of which was 
prohibited in England, Ireland, Guernsey, and Jersey. In 
1663, the navigation act was enlarged, by prohibiting the im- 
portation of European commodities into the colonies, except 
in vessels laden in England, and navigated and manned ac- 
cording to the provisions already quoted. 

At the same time the principle was assumed, and declared, 
that the commerce of the colonies ought to be contincd to the 
mother country, and that the colonies themselves should be 
retained in firm and absolute dependence. Not content with 
this, the parliament proceeded to tux the trade of the several 
colonies with each other, by imposing a duty on the exporta- 
tion of the commodities enumerated in the navigation act, from 
one colony to another, equivalent to what was levied on the 
consumption of those articles in England. 

This colonial system was considered highly conducive to 
the interests of England ; and was, of course, popular in that 
country, but it was felt to be unjust and injurious to the colo- 
nists, and excited their indignation, as well as a determination 
to evade it in every possible way. 

The Virginians, who had naturally expected distinguishing 
favours from the restored government, were highly exaspe- 
rated at this selfish and cruel attack upon their prosperity. 
They remonstrated against it as a grievance, and petitioned 
for relief. But Charles, instead of listening to their request, 
enforced the act with the utmost rigour, by erecting forts on 
the banks of the princijial rivers, and appointing vessels to 
cruise on the coast. Relief was sought by entering into a 
clandestine trade with the Dutch, on Hudson river. This, 
however, was of trifling importance. A conspiracy for throw- 
ing off the yoke of England, which has received the name 



What was allowed to the colonists > 
What principle was assumed ? 
How was the colonial system regarded 
in £ii(;land i* 



How in America ? 

What was done by the Virginians? 

By Charles II ? 

By Birkenhead and others ? 



DISCONTENT OF THE VIRGINIANS. 63 

of Birkenhead's plot, was entered into by some banished sol- 
diers of Cromwell ; but it was easily suppressed by the 
prudence of Sir William Berkeley, and the leaders were 
executed. (1663.) 

The colonial assembly, by way of retaliation on the mother 
country, enacted a law that, in the payment of d'ebts, coun- 
try creditors should have tlie priority, and that all courts of 
justice should give precedence in judgment to contracts made 
in the colony. Acts were passed to restrain the cultivation 
of tobacco, and to introduce the production and manufacture 
of silk. These designs were unsuccessful. The people 
would raise tobacco as long as they found a ready market for 
it ; and the price of labour, in a new country, was found to 
be wholly incompatible with the profitable culture of the silk 
worm. 

The discontents, occasioned by the commercial restric- 
tions, were further increased by the inconsiderate grants of 
land which the king made to his favourites, in violation of 
the rights of the Virginians, and the grants which had pre- 
viously been made. 

In the beginning of the year 1675, there occurred some 
slight out-breakings of popular discontent, which, though 
easily suppressed by the prudence and decision of the go- 
vernor, gave a significant intimation of the state of public 
feeling. To avert the crisis, and obtain some redress, a 
deputation was sent to England ; who, after a tedious nego- 
tiation with the king and his ministers, had nearly succeeded 
in their object, when they received the intelligence of a for- 
midable rebellion in the colony. 

A tax, imposed by the assembly to defray the expenses of 
the deputation, had caused some irritation, which the delay 
of the government in affording relief exasperated into fury. 
A war with the Susquehannah Indians, which had distressed 
the frontiers for some time, now burst forth with new vio- 
lence, and threatened additional expense and distress to the 
people. The governor. Sir William Berkeley, whose popu- 
larity had been hitherto equal to his spirit and integrity, was 
now pronounced too old and infirm for his office. He was 
ungratefully 'accused of wanting honesty to resist the op- 
pressions of the mother country, and courage to repel the 
hostility of the savages.' Tiiese charges were urged with 
great artifice, eloquence, and address, by an adventurer who 



Ey Governor Berkeley ? 

By the assembly ? 

What increased the discontents ? 



What happened early in 1675 ? 
With whom did a war break out ? 



64 BACON S REBKLLION. 

had arrived in the colony about three years before, Nathaniel 
Bacon. 

This man had been bred to the law, and had jrained, by 
his talents and insinuating manners, a seat in tbe council, 
and the rank of colonel in tbe militia. He was not satisfied 
with these distinctions, but aspired to greater things. He had 
been concerned in the insurrection of tlie preceding year, and 
had been taken prisoner, but was pardoned by the governor. 
This circumstance had cut him oft' from all hope of promo- 
tion by the regular government of the colony ; and his am- 
bition took another direction. He inveighed, with much 
warmth and eloquence, against what he termed the inertness 
and neglect of the governor, in tiie conduct of the frontier 
war; and, declaring that llie whole Indian race might easily 
be exterminated, he exiiorted the people to take up arms in 
their own defence, and, by one vigorous campaign, to ter- 
minate the war. 

His harangue was successful. A great number of the peo- 
ple were soon embodied for an expedition against the In- 
dians ; and, having elected Bacon for their general, placed 
themselves entirely at his disposal. To sanction the autho- 
rity he had acquired, or to create an open breach with the 
existing government, he applied to the governor for a con- 
firmation of his election, and ofiered instantly to march 
against the common enemy. Berkeley temporised, and, 
when pressed for a decision, issued a proclamation, com- 
manding the multitude, in the king's name, to disperse im- 
mediately, under the penalties of rebellion. 

Bacon, by no means disconcerted at this turn of aflfairs, 
marched directly to Jamestown, at the head of six hundred 
of his followers; and, surrounding the liouse where the go- 
vernor and assembly were met, he demanded the commission 
in a tone not to be mistaken. Berkeley refused with firm- 
ness ; and, presenting himself to the conspirators, who had 
charged him with cowardice, he undauntedly exposed his 
breast to their weapons, and awaited the residt. The coun- 
cil, less courageous than their leader, hastily prepared a com- 
mission, appointing Bacon captain-general of all the forces 
in Virginia, and, by dint of earnest entreaty, prevailed on the 
governor to sign it. 



Who slandered the governor, and fo- 
mented disturbances .' 

What was Bacon's character ? 

How did lie inflame the minds of the 
pco])le .' 

What did they do .' 



To whom did thej- apply for a con- 
firmation of tlieir acts ? 
What was Berkeley's answer ? 
How did Bacon then proceed P 
How did the fiovcrnor beliave ? 
Who made out the commission i 



CIVIL WAR IN VIRGINIA. 65 

The insurgents raised a shout of triumph, and retired ; and 
the assembly, feeling their courage suddenly revive with the 
departure of the danger, voted a resolution annulling the 
commission they had just granted, as having been extorted 
by force, denouncing Bacon as a rebel, and commanding his 
followers to deliver him up. The governor readily con- 
firmed this act of the assembly. 

Bacon and his army could now charge their opponents 
with baseness and treachery ; and give their own cause a 
colour of justice. They returned to Jamestown ; and the 
governor was obliged to retire to Acomac, on the eastern 
shore of the Chesapeake. Some of the councillors accom- 
panied him ; the rest returned to their plantations ; and the 
government of the colony remained in the hands of the 
popular leader. 

Having acquired the actual power. Bacon now sought to 
give it a legitimate form. He, therefore, assembled the gen- 
tlemen of the country in convention, and prevailed on a large 
number of them ' to pledge themselves, by oath, to support 
his authority, and resist his enemies.' A declaration was 
published, in the name of the convention, charging the origin 
of the civil war upon Sir William Berkeley, setting forth that 
he had given information to the king that the general and his 
followers were rebels ; and requiring the people to support 
the general, by aid and allegiance, against all forces whatso- 
ever, till the king should be informed of the true state of the 
case. This declaration united the great body of the people 
in Virginia, and even found some advocates in England. 

Berkeley, in the mean time, retaining some adherents 
among the planters, induced them to take up arms ; and, 
having raised some recruits among the crews of the English 
shipping on the coast, with their united force he commenced 
a series of attacks on the insurgents, with various success. 
The colony was now in a state of civil war. Jamestown 
was burnt by Bacon's party ; the estates of the loyalists were 
plundered, their families seized as hostages, and the richest 
plantations in the province ravaged. The governor retali- 
ated these outrages, and executed some of the insurgents by 
martial law. A war of extermination was threatened. 

Meantime, intelligence of the rebellion had reached Eng- 
land. The king had issued a proclamation, declaring Bacon 



How did the rissembly then behave ? 
What was the consequence ? 
Who retained the government ? 
How did he seek to strengthen it ? 



How did Berkelej- proceed P 
What was tlie state of the colony ? 
What was done by the King of Eng- 
land ? 



6* 



G6 



VIRGINIA RETAINS HER FREEDOM. 



a traitor, and the sole anther of the insurrfclion, pranting 
pardon to those of his followers who would forsake him, 
and offering freedom to all slaves who would aid in suppress- 
ing the revolt. An armament, under Sir John Berry, had 
sailed from England to assist the governor in his warfare. 

Bacon heard the intelligence of ihese operations without 
dismay. He counted on the devotion of his adherents, and 
determined to resist to the last extremity. He had already 
proclaimed a general forfeiture of all the property of his op- 
ponents, and was preparing to take the field anew, when his 
career was suddenly arrested by an unforeseen conlins:ency. 
When just ready to strike the blow which was to annihilate 
the opposition of his enemies, he suddenly sickened and died. 

So completely had he been the soul of liis party, that his 
death was the signal for its immediate dissolution. Without 
any attempt at reorganization — without any choice of a new 
leader, they entered into terms with Sir William Berkeley, 
and laid down their a'rms on conJnion of receiving a general 
pardon. (1676.) 

This rebellion, which had placed the colony for seven 
months under the direction of a most reckless usurper, might 
have terminated in its complete ruin. It cost many valual)le 
lives, and occasioned the loss of property to a very large 
amount. It failed, however, to convey to the mother country 
the lesson that it was unsafe and impolitic to oppress the 
colonies by restrictions on their commerce. Had the signs 
which it held forth been properly understood by the British 
government, the revolution of 1776 might have been delayed 
to a much later period. 

The succeeding period in the history of Virginia is marked 
with few incidents of importance. The succession of the 
different governors and the continuance of the commercial 
restrictions are the only circumstances of note during the 
subsequent portion of the reign of Charles II and that of 
James II. 

The revolution of the British government winch look place 
in 1688 was hiirhly bcnclicial to Virginia, in common with 
the other American colonies. The new sovereigns, William 
and Mary, gave their patronage and their name to a colleirc 
which had been projected in the preceding reign, and which 



By Bacon ? 

Wliat ended liis rebellion ? 
How did his followers proceed after 
his death ? 



What was the effect of this rebellion ? 

What was the cHect of the revolution 
of IGSS, ou the affairs of Virgi- 
nia? 



SKTTLLMENT OF MARYLAND. 67 

is to this day one of tlie most respectable literary seminaries 
ill the country. 

The political freedom, which the revolution confirmed and 
established in England, extended many of its blessings to 
Virginia. The province became less dependent on the will 
of the sovereign, and although he liad still the appointment 
of the governors, the influence of the colonial assemblies 
was suflicient to restrain those functionaries within such 
boundaries of authority as were requisite for the well being 
of the colony. Favouritism and religious intolerance dis- 
appeared ; and a better understanding prevailed with the 
other provincial governments. 

The population had increased to upwards of 60,000 souls ; 
and the increasing heallhfulness of the settlements promised a 
still more rapid augmentation of their numbers. In 1688, the 
province contained forty-eight parishes, embracing upwards 
of 200,000 acres of approoriated land. Each parish contained 
a church, with a parsonage house and glebe attached ; and 
each clergyman was by law assigned a salary of 16,000 pounds 
of tobacco. Episcopacy continued to be the estalalished 
religion, but dissenters were increasing so rapidly, that before 
the American revolution they amounted to two-thirds of the 
whole population. The statutes against them, though un- 
repealed, had become a dead letter. 



CHAPTER IX. 



SETTLEMENT OF MARYLAND. 



By its second charter, Virginia included the whole territory 
which at present forms the state of Maryland. The country 
was explored ijy the Virginia settlers as early as 1021; a 
settlement was formed, and a trade with the Indians in furs 
established. 'An attempt was made to monopolise this trade 
liy William Clayborne, a man of active and turbulent dispo- 
sition, who long exerted an extensive and injurious influence 
over the fortunes of the rising state. 

He had come out from England as a surveyor in 1621, and 
had sustained important offices in Virginia till 1629, when he 
was employed to survey the Chesapeake bay. Theinforma- 



Wlint was the pop'jlation ? " 
III what state was Maryland originally 
included ? 



Whnt was done in 1621 r" 
Who was William Clayborne f 
How was he employed in 1629 ? 



68 CHARTER OF MARYLAND. 

tion wliich he obtained in executing this undertaking, induced 
him to form a company in England for trading with the 
Indians, and he obtained a royal license, giving him the 
direction of an expedition for this purpose in 1631. Under 
these auspices trading establishments were formed on Kent 
Island in Maryland, and also near the mouth of the Susque- 
hannah. Clayborne's authority was confirmed by a commis- 
sion from the government of Virginia, and that colony claimed 
the advantages which were expected to result from commer- 
cial speculation extending far to the north of the present 
limits of the state of Virginia. 

But a distinct colony was now formed on her borders under 
the auspices of the Calvert family. Sir George Calvert, a 
Roman Catholic nobleman of enlarged capacity and liberal 
views, had become interested in American colonisation. He 
had spent a large amount of time and money in unsuccessful 
attempts to form settlements on Newfoundland. In 1628, 
he visited Virginia ; but was deterred from settling within its 
limits by the intolerance of the colonial government towards 
his religious opinions. 

lie tlierefore turned his attention towards the country 
beyond the Potomac ; and, finding it at the disposal of the 
King of England, he easily obtained from him a cliarter for 
colonising it. This charter was of a liberal character, aflord- 
ing ample guarantees for the freedom of the colonists, and the 
rights and privileges of the proprietary. The boundaries 
which it prescribed were the Atlantic ocean, the fortieth 
parallel of north latitude, the meridian of the western fountain 
of the Potomac, the river itself from its mouth to its source, 
and a line drawn due east from Watkin's Point to the ocean. 
The name given to the new colony was Maryland, in honour 
of Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV of France, and 
wife of Charles I of England. 

The charter assigned the country to Calvert, Lord Balti- 
more, his heirs and assigns, as absolute lord and proprietary, 
on payment of a feudal rent of two Indian arrows, and one-liflh 
of all gold and silver ore which might be discovered. The 



Tn 1631 > 

Where did he form trading establish- 
ments ' 

Under what colonial government did 
he act ? 

Under whose auspices was a distinct 
colony formed ? 

Who was Sir George Calvert ? 

What prevented liis settling in Vir- 
ginia ? 



For what country did he obtain a 
charter ? 

From whom ? 

Wlnt did it alTord ? 

What were the boundaries of the new 
colony > 

What was its name ? 

What were the terms of the char- 
ter? 



CHARACTER OF SIR GEORGE CALVERT. 



C9 



right of legislation was given to the emigrants who should 
settle on the soil. They were also protected Irom injury by 
the proprietary, to their lives, liberty, or estates. 

Although Sir George Calvert was a Roman Catholic, he 
allowed the most perfect religious liberty to the colonists under 
his charter ; and Maryland was the first state in the world in 
which perfect religions freedom was enjoyed. All English 
subjects, without distinction, were allowed equal riglits in 
respect to property and religious and civil franchises. A 
royal exemption from English taxation was another singular 
privilege obtained by Lord Baltimore for the people of his 
colony. All the extraordinary features of his charter owe 
their origin to the political foresight and sagacity of this 
remarkable man. 

' Calvert,' says Mr. Bancroft, ' deserves to be ranked 
among' the most wise and benevolent lawgivers of all ages. 
He was the first in the history of the Christian world to seek 
for religious security and peace by the practice of justice, and 
not by the exercise of power ; to plan the establishment of 
popular institutions with the enjoyment of liberty of con- 
science ; to advance the career of civilisation by recognising 
the rightful equality of all Christian sects. The asylum of 
papists was the spot, where, in a remote corner of the world, 
on the banks of rivers, which, as yet, had hardly been ex- 
plored, the mild forbearance of a proprietary adopted religious 
freedom as the basis of the state.' 

Before the patent was executed Sir George Calvert died, 
and was succeeded by his son, Cecil Calvert, the second Lord 
Baltimore ; who becam.e the proprietor of Maryland, and 
transmitted his proprietary rights to many generations of his 
heirs. 

Virginia remonstrated against what she considered an in- 
fringement of her rights and an invasion of her territory ; but 
the remonstrance was disregarded at court ; and in November, 
163.3, Leonard Calvert, the brother of Lord Baltimore, saded 
from Englan:! with about two hundred Roman Catholics for 
America, lie arrived in February of the following year at 
Point Comfort, in Virginia, and was courteously received by 
the governor, Harvey. From this Point he sailed up the 
Potomac to the Lidian town of Piscataqua, nearly opposite 



Wh^t rcliafioiis rights were allowed 

b3' Cr.lvert ? 
Wliat is observed of Marj'land ? 
What was Calvert's character ? 
Who was his successor ? 



What was done by Virjinia ? 

Who was sent out with the settlers 

under the charter of Maryland ? 
Where did he arrive ? 



70 



SETTLEMENT OF ST. MARY S, 



Mount Venion, tlie chieflain of which told him * he miglit use 
his own discretion about settling in his country.' Calvert, 
however, chose a site lower down the river, at the Indian 
town of Yoacomooo, on the St. Mary's river, which he named 
St. George's river. The Indians were induced, by presents, 
to give them up half the town, and promise the abandonment 
of the whole after harvest. Quiet possession of the place 
%vas accordingly taken by the colonists, and the town was 
named St. Mary's. 

The Indians now entered into a permanent treaty with the 
settlers ; their women taught the wives of the English to 
make bread of maize, and the men instructed their visiters in 
the arts of the chase. The ground being already tilled, and a 
supply of food and cattle from Virginia being always within 
reach, the province advanced rapidly in wealth and industry. 
In six months it had increased more than Virginia had done 
in as many years. The proprietary was liberal in his dis- 
bursements, spending forty thousand pounds in the first two 
years. 

In 1635, the first colonial assembly was convened, and 
passed laws for protecting its rights against the encroach- 
ments of Clayborne. He had made an attack on the colonists 
on one of the rivers near the isle of Kent, but his men had 
been defeated and taken prisoners. Clayborne himself fled 
to Virginia, and when reclaimed by the governor of Mary- 
land, was sent by Harvey to England. 

He was declared a traitor, and his estates were pronounced 
forfeited by an act of the Maryland assembly. His attempts 
to obtain redress in England were unavailing; and the right 
of Lord Baltimore to the jurisdiction of Maryland was fully 
confirmed by the British government. 

Meantime the assembly of Maryland was laliouring in the 
cause of civil liberty ; at the same time that it recognised the 
sovereignty of the king of England, and the riglils of the 
proprietary, it confirmed the rights of Englishmen to the in- 
habitants of Maryland ; established a representative govern- 
ment ; and asserted for itself similar powers to those of the 
British House of Commons. 

In 1G42, the gratitude of the colonists towards Lord Balti- 
more was manifested by the grant of such a subsidy as they 
could afford. 



Where did he settle ? 
What is said of the Indians .' 
Of the increase of the colony ? 
Of the proprietary .' 



What is related of Clayborne .' 
0( Lord Baltimore ? 
Of the assembly ? 
Of the colonists ? 



FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW ENGLANn. 71 

About the same time, the Indians, instigated by Clayborne, 
commenced hostilities, but were reduced to submission with- 
out much difllculty, and measures were taken by the assem- 
bly to insure the future tranquillity of the colony. 

In 1643, Clayborne succeeded in raising a rebellion, which 
kept the province in a state of disturbance for three years f 
and at one time the governor was compelled to fly, and th& 
public records were lost or embezzled. 

The government, however, was eventually triumphant, and 
confirmed its victory by the wise and humane expedient of a 
general amnesty. 

The civil wars of England extended their influence to 
Maryland as well as the other colonies. When the authority 
of Cromwell was defied by the Virginians, and commis- 
sionei-s were sent to reduce them to obedience, Clayborne, 
the ever active enemy of the iMarylanders, seized the occa- 
sion for extending his authority over them ; and a long series 
of fresh troubles and disturbances were brought on by his 
measures. Stone, the deputy of Lord Baltimore, was re- 
peatedly deprived of his commission ; the Catholic in- ^^^^ 
habitants were persecuted for their religious opinions, ^^ 
and the province was kept for years in a state of alarm ^^^g 
and confusion. The authority of the proprietary was, 
however, finally restored. 

In 1660, the representatives of Maryland declared their 
right of independent legislation, and passed an act making it 
felony to disturb the order thus established. From that time 
forward the province enjoyed comparative repose. Their 
population had already reached the number of twelve thou- 
sand. 



CHAPTER X. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW ENGLAND. 

Several abortive attempts were made to colonise the 
country now called New England, before the famous expedi- 
tion of the Pilgrim Fathers, which planted the earliest per- 
manent colony. 



Of the Indians ? 
Of Clayborne ? 
Of the governor ? 
Of the government ? 



What transpired during the civil 

wars of England ? 
What was done in 1660 ? 
What followed ? 



72 



THE PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. 



Two expeditions were sent out from the west of England 
as early as 160G, neillier of whiuh left settlers; but in 1607, 
two ships, commanded by Raleigh Gilbert, sailed with a 
colony of emigrants under the presidency of George Pophani. 
These adventurers landed and formed a settlement near the 
mouth of Kennebec river, which they called St. George. 
Forty-five persons were left here by the ships on tlieir return 
to England, in December. 

During the winter the little colony suffered many hard- 
ships and misfortunes. Their president died ; and on the 
return of the ships with supplies, Gilbert, who had suc- 
ceeded to the presidency, learning that chief justice Popham, 
the principal patron of the colony, was dead ; and that he 
himself had, by the decease of his brother, become heir to a 
considerable estate, abandoned the plantation ; and the whole 
company returned to the mother country. 

In 1614, Captain John Smith, the hero whose name is so 
celebrated in Virginia history, set sail with two ships for the 
coast north of Virginia, and performed a prosperous voyage, 
during which he explored the coast, and prepared a map of 
it, from the Penobscot river to Cape Cod. He gave to the 
country the name of New England. 

His success in this enterprise encouraged him to attempt 
the setllemenr of a colony for Sir Ferdinand Gorges and 
others, of the Plymouth company. But after two attempts 
he was intercepted on his voyage by French pirates, lost his 
vessel, and finally escaped from the harbour of Kochelle, 
alone, in an open boat. Smith was a perfect hero of romance. 
Wherever we hear of his being, we are sure to find him per- 
forming some extraordinary act, some feat of chivalry or 
herculean labour, such as no ordinary man would ever liave 
thought of attempting. His fortune was as extraordinary as 
his genius. 

On his return home from France, he published his map 
and description of New England ; and by his earnest soli- 
citations engaged the western company for colonising Ame- 
rica, to solicit and obtain a charter for settling the countrj'. 
The company was called ' The council established at Ply- 
month, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, 
ordering, and governing New England, in America.' The 



Where was a colony planted in 1G07? 
What occasioned its abandonment ? 
What was done by Captain Smith in 

101 1 f 
What befell him afterwards ? 



What is observed of Smith ? 

Wiiat was done by him on his return 

to England .' 
What company was formed under his 

auspices ? 



THE DROWXISTS. 



73 



charter gave this company the absohite property and un- 
limited controul of the territory inchided between the fortieth 
and forty-eighth degrees of north latitude and the Atlantic 
and Pacific oceans. A glance at the map will show that this 
included the Canadas, all the Eastern and nearly all the Mid- 
dle States, and a country of immense extent to the west. All 
this territory, with its commercial and internal resources, 
were placed under the absolute controul of some forty mer- 
chants and gentlemen, who composed the company, and re- 
sided in England. 

The extent of these powers, vested in the company, de- 
layed emigration ; and in the mean time, the first permanent 
colony in New England was established without regard to 
this charter, or even the knowledge of the company who had 
obtained it. 

A sect of puritans, distinguished by the democracy of its 
tenets respecting church government, and denominated 
Brownists, from the name of its founder, had sprung up in 
England, and after suflering much persecution from the go- 
vernment, had taken refuge at Leyden, in Holland. Here 
its members having formed a distinct society under the charge 
of their pastor, Mr. John Robinson, resided for some years 
in obscurity and safety ; but not finding their situation con- 
genial to their feelings as Englishmen, and fearful of losing 
their national identity, they had come to the determination 
of removing in a body to America. 

They accordingly sent two of their number, Robert Cush- 
man and John Carver, to England, for tlie purpose of obtain- 
ing the consent of the London company to their emigration to 
Virginia. Permission was promised, and a formal application, 
signed hy the greatest part of the congregation, was transmit- 
ted to the company. The language used on this occasion 
indicates the state of l''eeling which prompted the application. 
'.We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our mother 
country, and inured to the difhculties of a strange land ; the 
people are industrious and frugal. We are knit together as a 
body in a most sacred covenant of the Lord, of the violation 
whereof we make great conscience, and by virtue whereof we 
hold ourselves straidy tied to all care of each other's good, 
and of the whole. It is not with us as with men whom small 

Why did they determine to leave 
Holland ? 

To whom did they apply for permis- 
sion to settle in America ? 

What was their character ? 



What was granted in their charter ? 
What delaj'ed emigration ? 
What took place in the mean time ? 
Who were the Brownists ? 
Where did they take refuge ? 
Who was their pastor ? 



74 



VOYAGE OF THE PILGRIMS. 



things can discourage.' Sueli was tlie character of the far- 
renowned Pilgrims of New Enghmd, as described by them- 
selves. 

They were desirous that their enterprise sliould receive the 
formal approbation of the king. But James I was hostile to 
all the puritans ; and the \itmost that he would promise was 
neglect. A patent under the company's seal was, however, 
obtained through the influence of Sir Edwin Sandys, and a 
tract of land assigned them within the limits of the Virginia 
charter. The funds necessary for defraying the expenses of 
the expedition were obtained in London, on terms by no means 
favourable to the borrowers ; but this circumstance could not 
deter men who were actuated by the spirit of the Pilgrims. 

Two vessels, the Speedwell, of sixty tons, and the May- 
flower, of one hundred and eighty tons burthen, were hired in 
England. Only a part of the congregation could be accom- 
modated in tliese ; and Robinson was obliged to remain at 
Leyden, wiiile Brewster, an elder, conducted the company. 

It was on the morning of the 22d of July, 1620, when 
Robinson, kneeling in prayer on the sea shore at Delflhaven, 
consecrated the cmbarkalion of the'Pilgrims. The beginning 
of their voj-nge was prosperous. Tlicy touched at South- 
ampton, in England, and sailed thence on the fifth of August. 
Their prospect soon darkened ; they were ol)liged to put back 
twice in order to repair the smaller of their vessels, and final- 
ly to abandon her with such of their company as were too 
cowardly to continue the voyage; so that it was not until the 
Olh of September, 1620, that they took their final departure 
from England in the Mayflower. 

' Could,' says a celebrated orator of our own times, ' Could 
a common calculation of policy have dictated the terms of that 
settlement, no doubt our foundations would have been laid 
beneath the royal smile. Convoys and navies would have 
been solicited, to waft our fathers to the coast; armies to de- 
fend the infant communities ; and the flattering patronage of 
princes and lords, to espouse their interests in the councils of 
the niotlier country. 

' Happy, that our fathers enjoved no such patronage; hap- 
py, that they fell into no such protecting hands ; happy, that 
our foundations were silently and deeply cast in quiet insig- 



What was done tij- James I ? 
How dill tliry obtain tlit'ir patent ? 
Wlicre (lid they raise money ? 
What ships did they hire ? 
Who was their leader ? 



When did tliey leave Holland } 
What ocrasioiied the nbandonnicnt of 

one of their ships ? 
Describe the voyage. 



VOYAGE OF THE PILGRIMS. 75 

nificnnce, beneath a charter of banishment, persecution, and 
contempt ; so that when the royal arm was at length out- 
stretched against us, instead of a submissive child, tied down 
by former graces, it found a youthful giant in the land, born 
amidst hardships, and nourisiied on the rocks, indebted for no 
favours, and owing no duty. 

' From the dark portals of the star chamber, and In the stern 
texts of the acts of uniformity, the Pilgi-ims received a com- 
mission, more efficient than any that ever bore the royal seal. 
Their banishment to Holland was fortunate ; tlie decline of 
their little company in the strange land was fortunate ; the 
difficulties which they experienced, in getting the royal con- 
sent to banish themselves to this wilderness, were fortunate ; 
all the tears and heart-breakings of that ever memorable part- 
ing at Delfthaven, had the happiest influence on the rising 
destinies of New England. 

' All this purified the ranks of the settlers. These rough 
touches of fortune brushed oflf the light, uncertain, selfish 
spirits. They made it a grave, solemn, self-denying expedi- 
tion, and required those who engaged in it to be so too. They 
cast a broad shadow of thought and seriousness over the cruise, 
and if this sometimes deepened into melancholy and bitterness, 
can we find no apology for such a human weakness ? 

' It is sad indeed to reflect on the disasters which the little 
band of pilgrims encountered. Sad to see a portion of them, 
the prey of unrelenting cupidity, treacherously embarked in 
an unsound, unseaworthy ship, which they are soon obliged 
to abandon, and crowd themselves into one vessel ; one hun- 
dred persons, besides the ship's company, in a vessel of one 
hundred and sixty tons. One is touched at the story of the 
long, cold, and weary autumnal passage ; of the landing on 
the inhospitable rocks at this dismal season ; where they are 
deserted, before long, by the ship which had brought them, 
and which seemed their only hold upon the world of fellow- 
men, a prey to the elements and to want, and fearfully igno- 
rant of the numbers, of the power, and the temper of the 
savage tribes that filled the unexplored continent upon whose 
verge they had ventured. 

' But all this wrought together for good. These trials of 
wandering and exile of the ocean, the winter, the wilderness, 
and the savage foe, were the final assurance of success. It 
was these that put far away from our fathers' cause all patri- 
cian softness, all hereditary claims to pre-eminence. 

' No efl'eminate nobility crowded into the dark and austere 
ranks of the Pilgrims. No Oarr nor Villiers would lead on 



70 VOYAGE OF THE PILGRIMS. 

the ill-provided band of despised Puritans. No well endowed 
clergy were on the alert, to quit their cathedrals, and set up a 
pompous hierarchy in the frozen wilderness. No craving 
governors were anxious to be sent over to our cheerless El 
Dorados of ice and of snow. 

'No, they could not say they had encouraged, patronised, 
or helped the Pilgrims ; their own cares, their own labours, 
their own counsels, their own blood contrived all, achieved all, 
bore all, sealed all. They could not afterwards fairly pretend 
to reap where they had not strewn ; and as our fathers reared 
this broad and solid fabric with pains and watchfulness, un- 
aided, barely tolerated, it did not fall when the favour, which 
had always been withholden, was changed into wrath ; when 
the arm, which had never supported, was raised to destroy. 

' Methinks I see it now, that one solitary, adventurous 
vessel, the Mayflower of a forlorn hope, freighted with the 
prospects of a future state, and bound across the unknown sea. 
1 behold it pursuing, with a thousand misgivings, the uncer- 
tain, the tedious voyage. Suns rise and set, and weeks and 
months pass, and winter surprises them on the deep, but 
brings them :^ot the sight of tlie wished-for shore. 

' I see them now, scantily supplied with provisions, crowded 
almost to suilocation in their ill-stored prison, delayed by 
calms, pursuing a circuitous route — and now driven in fury 
before the raging tempest, on the high and giddy waves. Tlie 
awful voice of the storm howls through the rigging. The 
labouring masts seem straining from their base — the dismal 
sound of the pumps is heard — the ship leaps, as it were, 
madly, from billow to billow — the ocean breaks, and settles 
with engulfing floods over the floating deck, and beats with 
deadening, shivering weight, against the staggered vessel. 

' I see them, escaped from tiiese perils, pursuing their all but 
desperate undertaking, and landed at last, after a five months' 
passage, on the ice clad rocks of Plymouth — weak and weary 
iVom the voyage — poorly armed, scantily provisioned, depend- 
ing on the charity of their ship-master for a draught of beer 
on board, drinking notliing but water on shore — without shel- 
ter — without means — surrounded by hostile tribes. 

' Shut now the volume of history, and tell me, on any prin- 
ciple of human probabiHty, what shall be the fate of this 
handful of adventurers. Tell me, man of militarv science, in 
how many months were they all swept ofl" by the thirty savage 
tribes, enumerated within the early limits of New England ? 
Tell me, politician, how long did this shadow of a colony, on 



CONSTITUTION OF THE PILGRIMS. 77 

which your conventions and treaties had not smiled, languish 
on the distant coast? 

' Student of history, compare for me the bafrled projects, 
the deserted settlements, the abandoned adventures of other 
times, and lind the parallel of this. Was it the winter's storm, 
beating upon the houseless heads of women and children ? 
Was it hard labour and spare meals — was it disease — was it 
the tomahawk — was it the deep malady of a blighted hope, a 
ruined enterprise, and a broken heart, aching in it^ last mo- 
ments, at the recollection of the loved and left beyond the 
sea: was it some or all of these united, that hurried this for- 
saken company to their melancholy fate? 

' And is it possible that neither of those causes, that not 
all combined, were able to blast this bud of hope ? Is it 
possible, that from a beginning so feeble, so frail, so worthy, 
not so much of admiration as of pity, there lias gone forth a 
progress so steady, a growth so wonderful, an expansion so 
ample, a reality so important, a promise, yet to be fulfilled, 
so g^lorious ?' 

The destination of the Pilgrims was the mouth of the Hud- 
son ; but by the treachery of their captain, who is supposed 
to have been bribed by the Dutch, interested in the colony 
of New Amsterdam, they were conducted to the inhospitable 
coast of Massachusetts. They did not make the land till 
the ninth of November. On the next day they cast anchor 
in the harbour of Cape Cod. 

Before landing, they adopted a solemn compact or consti- 
tution of government in the following words : 

' In the name of God, amen ; we, whose names are under- 
written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign King James, 
having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of 
tlie Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a 
voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Vir- 
ginia, do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the 
presence of God, and of one another, covenant and combine 
ourselves together, into a civil body politic, for our better 
ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends afore- 
said ; and by virtue hereof, to enact, constitute, and frame 
such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and 
offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most conve- 
nient for the general good of the colony. Unto which we 
promise all due submission and obedience.' 



What was the destination of the Pil 

grims ? 
Why did they not land there ? 

7 



Whither were they conducted ? 
What was their constitution ? 



78 LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS. 

This instrument was signed by the men, forty-one in 
number; and tliey, with their families, amounted to one hun- 
dred and one persons. As soon as their covenant or contract 
•was signed, Mr. John Carver was unanimously chosen their 
governor for one year 

The inclemency of the season was very unfavourable to 
their undertaking. Several days were spent in searching for 
a suitable place to land, and much hardship was endured by 
those who went in the boats for this purpose. Some traces 
of the Indians were discovered — a heap of maize, a burial 
place, and four or five deserted wigwams. On the 8th of 
December, Carver, Bradford, Winslow, Standish, and eight 
or ten seamen, being on shore near Namskeket, on Great 
Meadow Creek, were assailed by a party of Indians, who 
welcomed them with the war whoop, and a flight of arrows. 
On the same day, they were near being wrecked in their 
shallop as they were seeking a harbour. They escaped this 
danger, however, and landed at night on a small island. Here 
they kept the Christian Sabbath with strict observance, and 
on the day following, December 11, found the long sought 
liarbour, to which, in grateful remembrance of the friends 
they had left at their last port in England, they gave the 
name of Plymouth. 

In a few da3s the Mayflower was safely moored in Ply- 
mouth harbour; the surrounding country was then explored, 
and a liigli ground facing the bay, where the land was cleared 
and the water good, was selected for building. 

On the morning of the '20th of December, 1020, after im- 
ploring the divine guidance and blessing, the Pilgrims landed 
on the rock of Plymouth. The spot which their footsteps 
first touched, on this memorable occasion, has ever since been 
regarded by their descendants as sacred, and the day is still 
celel)ralcd with all tlie enthusiasm of religion and patriotism. 

When the landing of the Pilgrims was eflccted, their diffi- 
culties and distresses were but just begun. We are to recol- 
lect that it was in the depth of a New England winter, that 
their company was already suffering with colds, lung fevers, 
and incipient consumptions, contracted by their exposure to 
snow, rain, and the beating surf, in exploring the coast; that 
Iheir stock of provisions was scanty ; anil that the care of 
tlicir wives and children was added to hardships which man- 
liood was hardly able to encounter. 



Who wns chosrn governor ? 
What l)efi'll a party of them on the 
Sth of Dticmbcr .' 



What passed on tlie 11th .' 
When did the Pilgrims land ? 



DISTRESSES OF THE PILGRIMS. 



79 




Landing of the Pilgrims. 



The month of January was spent in erecting such tene- 
ments as their scanty means aflbrded. Sickness attended them, 
and mortality thinned their numbers through the winter : and 
it was not until the spring was far advanced that health re- 
visited the remnant of the colony. Half their number had 
perished. Carver, their first governor, died in March, and 
William Bradford was chosen to succeed him. 

Privation and want were still to be endured. A reinforce- 
ment of emigrants, which came out in the autumn of 1621, 
brought no supply of provisions, and the colony was com- 
pelled to subsist, for six months longer, on half allowance. 
The scarcity of provisions continued, with only occasional 
relief, for two years longer. 

A mistaken policy, or a desire to conform to the simplicity 
of apostolic times, had induced the Pilgrims to adopt the 
system of community of property. This was one of the 
causes of scarcity. In the spring of 1623, each family was 
allowed a parcel of ground to cultivate for itself; and after 
the harvest of that year, no general want of food was ex- 
perienced. 

A profitable commerce was established with tlie Indians. 
European trinkets were exchanged for furs, and the colonists 
were at length enabled to barter corn with them for the pro- 
ducts of the chase. The Indians were not numerous in the 
vicinity of Plymouth, for before the arrival of the English, a 
sweeping pestilence had carried off whole tribes of them, but 



How was their first winter passed ? 

When did Carver die ? 

Who succeeded him ? 

When did a reinforcement arrive ? 

What cause of distress remained ? 

For how long a time ? 



What mistake was made by the Pil- 



g;rims 



Whpn was it rectified ? How ? 
With whom did they trade ? 
In what commodities ? 
What had thinned the Indians ? 



80 



MASSASOIT. 



enough were left to render a sort of military organisation 
necessary for the defence of the colony, and Captain Miles 
Standish, a man of great courage and fortitude, obtained the 
chief command. 

In March, 1621, the colonists were visited by Samoset, a 
chief of the Wampanoags, who bade them welcome, and in 
the name of his tribe gave them permission to occupy the 
soil, which there was no one of the original possessors alive 
to claim. 

In the same month, Massasoit, the greatest king of the 
neighbouring Indians, paid them a visit, and entered into a 
league of fiiendship, which was inviolably observed for 
upwards of fifty years. 

This event was followed by others of the same character. 
A sachem who had threatened hostilities was compelled to 
sue for peace, and nine chiefs subscribed an instrument of 
submission to King James, Canonicus, the sachem of the 
Narragansetts, sent a bundle of arrows wrapped in a rattle- 
snake's skin to the governor, in token of dehance ; but Brad- 
ford coolly stufft'd tlie skin with powder and shot, and re- 
turned it. The Indian's courage failed at the sight of this 
unequivocal symbol ; and he followed the example of his 
counlrjMuen by subscribing a treaty of peace. 

Another colony was the means of involving the Plymouth 
settlers in an Indian war. Weston, one of the London ad- 
venturers, had been induced, by the hope of a lucrative trade, 
to obtain a patent for land ne;ir Weymouth in Massachusetts 
Bay, and sent over a company of sixty men, wiio settled on 
the soil, intruded themselves on tiie hospitality of the Ply- 
mouth colony, were idle and dissolute, and finally exasperated 
jP^„ the Indians so much by their repeated aggressions, 
that a plot was formed for the entire exlermination 
of the English. Tliis plot was revealed by Massasoit. The 
governor, on receiving intelligence of it, ordered Standish to 
lake a \;>arty with him to the new settlement, and, if he 
should discover signs of a plot, to fall on the conspirators. 
Standish took but eight men ; and, proceeding at once to tiie 
scene of action, was insulted and threatened by the natives. 
AVatcliing a favourable opportunity, he attacked them, kill- 
ed several, and put the rest to flight. The Indian wo- 



Who wns the military leader of the 

Pilgrims ? 
Wha visited tliem ? 
Who made a treaty with them ? 
What events followed ? 



Tell the story of Canonicus. 
What is said of the Weymouth co- 
lony .' 
Of the Indians ? 
Of Standish ? 



TREACHERY OF PIERCE. 



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Treaty with Massasoil. 

men were treated kindly, and sent away. This decisive 
action broke up tlie conspiracy, and dispersed the tribes who 
had formed it. The Weymouth colony was soon after aban- 
doned, and the setders returned to England. 

The London merchants, who had lent money to the Pil- 
grims on their departure from England, had been admitted to 
a sort of partnership in the colony, which was afterwards 
productive of much inconvenience. These merchants used 
their power for the purpose of making severe restrictions and 
exactions. They refused a passage to Mr. Robinson, who 
wished to join his friends in Plymouth ; endeavoured to force 
upon the colony a clergyman whose religious opinions were 
at variance with their own ; and even attempted to injure 
their commerce by rivalry, extorting from them exorbitant 
profits on supplies, and excessive usury on money. The 
emigrants bore all this patiently, and at last succeeded in 
buying out the entire rights of the London adventurers, and 
relieving themselves from debt, and its unpleasant conse- 
quences. 

The first patent of Plymouth had been taken out at the 
instance of Sir Ferdinand Gorges, in the name of John 
Pierce, as trustee for the adventurers. When the enterprise 
assumed a promising aspect, this man secretly procured an- 
other patent of larger extent, for his own benefit, intending 
to hold the adventurers as his tenants. 

He accordingly sent out ships for New England ; but they 
were driven back repeatedly by storms ; and the losses he 



What was the end of the Weymouth 
colony ? 

What is said of the London mer- 
chants ? 



How were their cxnctions ended ? 
How did the trustee of the Pilgrims 

abuse his trust ? 
What misfortunes befell him ? 



83 



GOVERNMENT OP THE OLD COLONY. 



underwent compelled him to sell his patent and his property 
to the company. 

A patent was afterwards granted for the lands about the 
Kennebec river, where a trading establishment had been 
formed ; but no cliarter could ever be obtained from the king, 
who still retained his hostility to the Puritans. 

The population of the old colony, at Plymouth, increased 
slowly. Ten years after the first settlement there were only 
three hundred inhabitants. But tliey had spread over a wide 
territory, and become firmly rooted in the soil. 

The government of the old colony was strictly republican. 
The governor was elected by the people, and restricted by a 
council of five, and afterwards of seven, assistants. The 
legislature was at first composed of the whole body of the 
people. But, as the population increased, tiiey adopted the 
representative system. 



CHAPTER XI. 



PROGRESS OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES. 

The old Plymouth company ' for the planting, ruling, 
ordering, and governing New England, in America,' whose 
extensive and very exclusive charter has already been men- 
tioned, had made no other use of its inordinate privileges 
than an attempt to exclude from the trade and fisheries all 
Avho would not pay the company a heavy tax. No mono- 
poly could be more odious to the people of England than 
this. Their privileges were violently assailed in the house 
of commons, and the patentees were finally compelled to 
relinquish their claims. 'J'hey continued, lunvever, to issue 
patents for portions of their immense territory, to diflerent 
companies and individuals. 

One of these having been granted to Robert Gorges, the 
son of Sir Ferdinand, for a tract extending ten miles on Mas- 
sachusetts Bay, and thirty miles into the interior, he was 
appointed by the company lieutenant-general of New Eng- 



For what country was a patent after- 
wards f!;ranted ' 

\Vh:it is said of the population of the 
Plyinoiith colon}' f 

What is said of the government ? 



What use did the old Plymouth com- 
pany make of its charter ? 
Who opposed their claims ? 
Were they abandoned ? 
What practice did tiiey continue ? 
What is said of Gorges's patent f 



SETTLEMENT OF MAINE. 83 

land, with extensive powers. But this grant was productive 
of no permanent settlement, and the powers of Gorges were 
never exercised. 

In 1623, Sir Ferdinand Gorges and John Mason took a 
patent for a territory called Laconia, extending from the At- 
lantic to the St. Lawrence, and from the Merrimac to the 
Kennebec. Under this patent Portsmouth and Dover were 
settled, in 1623. A fresh patent, for the country between 
the Merrimac and Piscataqua, was obtained by Mason in 
1629. This was the patent for New Hampshire. Its early 
progress was so slow that, in thirty years after its settle- 
ment, Portsmouth contained no more than sixty families. 

In 1628, a number of settlements were commenced on the 
coast of Maine, under a succession of patents granted by the 
Plymouth council. But, as most of these were merely tem- 
porary, having for their object the pursuits of hunting and 
fishing, they were soon abandoned. 

A district of forty miles square, which was called Lygonia, 
and situated between Harpswell and the Kennebunk river, 
was settled in 1630 and given up the next year, the settlers 
retiring to Massachusetts. 

Sir Ferdinand Gorges obtained, in 1635, a patent for the 
district lying between the Kennebec and the Piscataqua, and 
sent his nephew, William Gorges, to govern the territory, 
who found some setders on the Saco and Kennebec ; but he 
remained in the country only two years, and it was then left 
without a government. Sir Ferdinand still continued his 
schemes for colonisation, and was subsequently constituted 
lord proprietary of the country by a royal charter. 

New England would have increased but slowly in wealth 
and population, had not the same causes which drove the 
Brownists from England still continued to operate. The 
Puritans were constantly the objects of persecution in Eng- 
land, and numbers of them were desirous to seek an asylum 
in the new world. Several emigrations were consequently 
made to Massachusetts. 

Mr. White, a Puritan minister of Dorchester, in England, 
had induced some merchants and gentlemen to join him 
(1624) in sending out a small colony, who began a planta- 
tion at Cape Ann, recognising, however, the supremacy of 
the Plymouth settlers. 



When was New Hampshire settled i" 

By whom ? 

What fact proves its slow progress ? 



What was done in Maine ? 

What was done by Gorges in 1635 ? 

By Mr. White in 1624 > 



84 



SETTLEMENT OF SALEM AND CIIARLESTOWW, 



In 1627, Mr. Wliite and his company concluded a treaty, 
with the council of Plymouth, for the purchase of that part 
of New England lyinsj three miles south of Charles river, 
and three miles north of Merrimac river, and extending from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific. A .«niall number of emigrants, 
under the direction of John Endicott, were soon afterwards 
sent out, who laid the foundation of Salem, tlie first perma- 
nent town in the Massachusetts colony, in 1628. 

The adventurers did not deem themselves able to effect all 
their objects without the aid of more opulent partners. Some 
London merchants joined them, and a charter was obtained 
from the crown confirming the grant from the council of Ply- 
mouth, and conferring powers of government. Tlie supreme 
authority was vested in persons residing in London, a most 
unwise provision, as the iiistory of the Virginia company 
sufTiciently proved. The patentees were styled ' The Gover- 
nor and Company of Massachusetts Bay in New England.' 

The executive power was vested in a governor, deputy 
governor, and eis^liteen assistants, to be nominated by the 
crown, and afterwards elected by the company. The go- 
vernor and assistants were to meet monthly for business. 
Tlie legislative power was vested in the body of the pro- 
prietors, who were to assemble four times a year, nnder the 
denomination of the General Cottrt, for electing officers, and 
making laws for the common weal. The colonists Avere 
exempted from taxes and duties, and declared entitled to all 
the rights and privileges of Englishmen, as had already been 
done in the charter of Virginia. 

Under this charter three vessels sailed in May, 1628, with 
about two hundred persons, who reached Salem in June, 
where they found a colony of one hundred planters under the 
government of John Endicott. 

Not satisfied with the situation at Salem, one hundred of 
the company, under tlie direction of 'l^homas Graves, removed 
to Mishawum, where they laid the foundation of a town, to 
which they gave the name of Charlesfown. Both settlements 
were united under the same government; and one of their 
first acts was to form a church and ordain their minister and 



In 1627 ? 

Wlion was Salem settled ? • 
By whom } 

Whut now company was formed .' 
What form of government was es- 
tablished by their charter ? 



What exemptions and privileges did 

it prant .' 
How many emigrants came over in 

16'2S^ 
Who founded Charlestown ? 
What was one of their first acts .' 



SETTLEMENT OF BOSTON. 



85 



ruling elder, in which solemnity they were joined by a repre- 
sentation from the Plymouth colony. 

The inconveniences, which would have resulted from that 
provision of the charter which required the government of the 
colony of Massachusetts to be resident in London, had already 
been foreseen, and in consequence of representations to that 
effect, the charter was transferred to those of the freemen who 
should therriselves reside in the colony. This gave a new 
impulse to emigration, and many persons of various ranks 
prepared for their departure to the New World. 

The next year (1630) brought a fleet with eight hundred 
and forty emigrants, among whom were governor Winthrop, 
deputy governor Dudley, and many other persons of wealth 
and respectability. In September, of the same year, a set- 
tlement was formed at a place on the south side of Charles 
river, called by the Indians Shawraut, and by the English, 
Trimountain, to which the name of Boston was now giyen. 

The succeeding autumn and winter were marked by severe 
distress. Sickness visited the colony, and before December, 
two hundred of their number had died. Among these was 
the lady Arabella Johnson, the daughter of a noble house in 
England, who had left the quiet and luxury of her home, but 
to leave a memorial of her virtues and misfortunes in the new 
country. The colonists were by no means disheartened by 
their sufferings, but bore all with fortitude, in the hope of 
transmitting free institutions to their posterity. 

In May, 1631, at the first court of election in Massachu- 
setts, ' that the body of the commons might be preserved of 
good and honest men,' it was ordered that, from that time, no 
persons be admitted to the freedom of the body politic, but 
such as were members of some of the churches within its 
limits. This provision has been much censured by historians 
and statesmen, and the right of the government to make it 
has been questioned. It was subsequently productive of 
much dissension. It was, however, by no means inconsistent 
with the spirit of the age, and was unquestionably adopted 
from the most upright and conscientious motives. 

The settlements gradually extended in the neighbourhood 
of Boston and Charlestown to such remote points, that the 
purely democratic form of government, which admitted every 



What gave a new impulse to emigra- 
tion? 
Who came over in 1630 ? 
What town was then settled ? 
What ensued in the autumn ? 



Who died ? 

When was the first court of election 

held in INIassachusetts ? 
What law was made f 
What is said of it ? 



86 BANISHMENT OF ROGER WILLIAMS. 

freeman to a share in the deliberations respecting the public 
welfare, was found to be very inconvenient ; and accordingly, 
in 1G34, a representative form of government was adopted. 
The wliole body of the freemen assembled but once a year 
for the election of magistrates, and the freemen of each town 
chose deputies to the general court, who were vested with the 
full power of all the freemen, and were required to assemble 
in general court four times a year. This form of government 
was retained, with but slight alterations, during tiie continu- 
ance of the charter. We have here the second instance of a 
house of representatives in America, the first having been 
convened in Virginia, June 19, 1619. 

Roger Williams, a minister of Salem, having put forth cer- 
tain tenets, which were considered heretical and seditious, 
1634 ' t6'^^'"g equally to sap the foundations of the estab- 
lishment in church and state,' and refusing to recant 
and conform to the opinions of the ruling powers, was banished 
the colony. 

The heresy wliich he promulgated was, ' that the civil 
magistrate should restrain crime, but never controul opinion ; 
should punish guilt, but never violate the freedom of the 
soul.'* His firmness on this occasion made him the founder 
of a state, and classed him among the most celebrated asser- 
tors of intellectual freedom. 

His exile was not a mere transfer from one agreeable resi- 
dence \X) another as agreeable. He was obliged to go into the 
wilderness of woods in the depth of winter ; and wlien cast 
out from the society of civilised men, for asserting the noblest 
right of humanity, lie found a shelter among the untutored 
savages. Pokanoket, Mass'asoit, and Canonicus, welcomed 
him to their rude wigwams, and thus confirmed a constant 
friend and benefactor. Iji the spring he began to build and 
plant at Seekonk, but finding that this place was within the 
patent of Plymouth, he passed over the water with five com- 
panions, and settled on a spot which, in token of his humble 
reliance on the Divine favour, he called Providence. Under 
these circumstances was commenced the settlement of Rhode 
Island — a state, whose history is marked throughout with the 
strongest evidences of the attachment of its people to the prin- 
ciples of civil and religious liberty. 



What form of government was adopted I What is said of Roger Williams .' 
in 1634 f I What town and state did he found ? 

• Bancroft. 



ARRIVAL OF PETER AND VANE. 



87 




Banishment of Roger Williams. 



In 1635, three thousand emigrants were added to the puri- 
tan colony of Massachusetts. Among them were two persons 
who were afterwards remarkably distinguished by their cha- 
racters and fortunes ; these were Hugh Peter, and Henry Vane 
the younger. Peter, who had formerly been pastor of a 
church of English exiles at Rotterdam, was a man of high 
spirit, great energy, eloquence and ability. Vane, who suf- 
fered much censure during his active career, is now pro- 
nounced by impartial historians to have been a man of 
spotless integrity and pure mind, and a genuine martyr for 
liberty. 

The freemen of Massachusetts, captivated by the talents 
and fascinating manners of Vane, and flattered by his aban- 
donment of ease and high rank in England, for a residence on 
their own soil, elected him for their governor. He was too 
young and too little acquainted with the country to fulfil with 
success the duties of so arduous an office. 

The arrival of Vane was followed by certain negotiations 
with other men of noble rank in England, who were desirous 
to emigrate to Massachusetts, provided they could continue 
there in the enjoyment of those hereditary powers and offices, 
which -were guaranteed to them and their families by the 
British constitution. Their proposals were received and 
considered by the leaders and freemen of the colony ; but, 
fortunately for their posterity, these sagacious republicans 
foresaw the evils which would result from such an arrange- 
ment, and the proposal was accordingly declined. 

The colony was not so fortunate in respect to another source 



Who came over in 1635 ? 

To what office was Vane elected ? 



What proposal was made by certain 

English noblemen ? 
How was it treated ? 



88 



RELIGIOUS DISSENSIONS. 



of disorder, religious dissensions. A controversy arose con- 
cerning faith and works, in which a Mrs. Anne Hutchinson 
and two clergymen, Mr. Wheelwright and Mr. Cotton, es- 
poused one side of the question, and received the support of 
governor Vane, while the lieutenant governor Winthrop, and 
a majority of the ministers and churches, contended as earnest- 
ly for the opposite opinions. 

Mrs. Hutchinson held weekly conferences for persons of 
her own sex, and commented with ^reat asperity on the ser- 
mons delivered by preachers of the opposite party, whom she 
pronounced to be ' under a covenant of works.' The number 
and quality of her adherents soon gave the affair a degree of 
political importance, which it could never have acquired in a 
community where the church and state were not intimately 
connected. 

The general court took up the matter, and censured Wheel- 
wright for sedition. This measure embroiled the parties still 
further ; and the ' party question' of the day was made the 
test of elections, and interfered with the discussion and deci- 
sion of every public measure. The controversy lasted till 
1637, when Anne Hutchinson, Wheelwright, and Aspinwall 
were banished the colony, and their adherents were required 
to deliver up their arms. 

Many of the Antinomians, as the minority were called, 
emigrated to the neighbouring colonics. A considerable num- 
ber found shelter with Roger Williams; and, by his influence 
and that of Vane, obtained from Miantonomoh, the chief of 
the Narragansetts, a gift of the beautiful island of Rhode Is- 
land. Wheelwright and some of his friends removed to the 
Piscataqua, and founded the town of Exeter. Tiius the into- 
lerance of Massachusetts became instrumental in scattering 
new settlers over the face of the country, and founding new 
communities of men, who were ready to sacrifice all the de- 
lights of social intercourse to the preservation of the rigiits of 
conscience. Sucli men were worthy to become the founders 
of new states, and to be remembered with gratitude by those 
who are now enjoying the blessings which they so dearly 
purchased. 

Vane, not being elected governor a second time, and having 
witnessed the persecution and exile of the party to which he 
had been conscientiously attached, soon alter returned to Eng- 
land, became conspicuous in the civil wars, and suffered death 



What cause of disorder now began to 

operate ? 
What is said of Mrs. Hutchinson .' 



How did the controversy end ? 
Where did the exiles settle ? 
What became of Vane ? 



CONNECTICUT SETTLED. 



89 



for his attachment to the republican cause. Peter became 
chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and, after the Restoration, suf- 
fered the same fate. 

The valley of the Connecticut had already attracted atten- 
tion, by its fertility and its convenient location for an exten- 
sive internal trade in furs. The first proprietary under the 
Plymouth council, the Earl of Warwick, had assigned his 
grant to Lords Say and Seal, Lord Brook, and others, in 1631. 
The people of the old colony at Plymouth had built a trading 
house at Windsor (1631) for the purchase of furs; and the 
Dutch had settled Hartford, under the name of Good Hope, 
in 1633. 

The proprietaries sent out John Winthrop, in 1635, who 
erected a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut, and founded 
Saybrook. Before liis arrival, parties of emigrants from Mas- 
sachusetts had already formed settlements at Hartford, Wind- 
sor, and Wethersfield. The settlers marched through the 
forest to their new abode, accompanied by their wives and 
children. This appears to have been the first example of 
' western emigration,' which was conducted in this manner. 
The march of the vanguard of sixty Pilgrims, which took 
place late in autumn, was attended with much suflering and 
privation. 

Next year a government was organised under a commis- 
sion from Massachusetts ; and, in June, a company of one 
hundred new emigrants, under the direction of the Rev. 
Thomas Hooker, commenced its march from Massachusetts 
towards the new settlement on the Connecticut, travelling 
through the pathless woods at the slow rate of ten miles a 
day, encumbered with their families and flocks, and sleeping 
at night with scarce any shelter but what the woods aflxirded. 
This pilgrimage is not less remarkable for its romantic daring, 
than for the high character of its leaders. The new settlement 
was surrounded with perils. The Dutch, who were established 
on the river, were anxious to exclude the English ; and the 
natives, who were numerous and powerful in that neighbour- 
hood, had begun to entertain hostile dispositions towards all 
European intruders. 

The Pequods, residing in the vicinity of the Thames river, 
could bring seven hundred warriors into the field. They had 

What other places had been set- 
tled ? 

Describe the pilgrimage of Mr. Hook- 
er and his followers. 

What dangers did they encounter ? 

What is said of the Pequods ? 



Of Peter ? 

What settlements had been made in 

Connecticut ? 
By whom i" 

When was Saybrook settled ? 
By whom ? 



8^ 



90 



THE PE(iUOD WAR. 



already committed repealed aggressions on the whites, with- 
out suffering any chastisement, and they now proposed to the 
Narragansetls and Mohegans to unite in a league for the uttwr 
extermination of the race. Fortunately this design became 
known to Roger ^Villiams, who communicated it to the go- 
vernor of Massachusetts ; and having received, from the 
governor and council, letters, requesting his personal exertions 
in dissolving the league, he went directly to the liouse of the 
sachem of the Narragansetts, and, although the Pequod chiefs 
were already there, he succeeded, at great hazard of his life, 
in breaking up the conspiracy. Such was the service which 
the persecuted man was able to render to those who had been 
his persecutors. 

The Pequods, when the Narragansetts and Mohegans were 
detached from their alliance, foolishly resolved to prosecute 
the war alone. They commenced hostilities by murdering 
the white people on their borders ; but the Connecticut settlers 
promptly raised a force of ninety men, who were placed 
under the command of John Mason. The Massachusetts and 
Plymouth colonics proceeded to furnish their contingent of 
troops ; but before they could arrive, the Connecticut party 
were on their way to t'le scene of action. By a rapid march 
they succeeded in surprising the Pequods, in their camp of 
palisades, before daybreak, and, but for the barking of a watch 
dog, would have destroyed them without resistance. The 
warriors rose at the alarm, and defended themselves with their 
bows and arrows. Their superiority of numbers gave them 
some chance of escape, until Mason cast lircbraiuls upon the 
Indian cabins, and set the whole encanipm.ent in a bhize. The 
confusion that ensued gave the English an easy victory. 8ix 
hundred of the Indians, men, women, and children, perislied ; 
most of them by the fire. Only two of the assailants were 
killed. • 

The following account is given by Koberlson, of the cause 
which delayed the arrival of the force from Massachusetts. 

' The march of the troops from Massachusetts, which formed 
the most considerable body, w^s retarded by the most singu- 
lar cause that ever inlluenccd the operations of a military force. 
When they were mustered, previous to their departure, it was 
found that some of the oflicers, as well as of the private sol- 
diers, were still under a covenant of works ; and that the 



Who ]pa|:;ucil will) them .' 
What dill Uicy dc?ifi;n ? 
Who broke up the league ? 



Wlio romnincd hostile .' 
Wlio marchctl ai;nin^t them? 
What was the rosuU > 



NEW HAVEN SETTLED. 



01 




Destruction of the Pequods. 

blessing of God could not be implored, or expected to crown 
the arms of such unhallowed men with success. The alarm 
was general, and many arrangements necessary in order to 
cast out the unclean, and to render this little band sufficiently 
pure to fight the battles of a people who entertained high ideas 
of their own sanctity.'* 

These troops, consequently, only arrived in time to hunt 
out a few of the fugitives, burn their remaining villages, and 
lay waste their corn-fields. Sassacus, the sachem of the Pe- 
quods, fled to the Mohawks, and was murdered. The rem- 
nant of the tribe, two hundred in number, surrendered, and 
were either enslaved to the English, or mingled with the Mo- 
hegans and Narragansetts. The Pequods no longer existed 
as a distinct tribe. 

It is worthy of remark, that the Indians were never danger- 
ous enemies to the colonists, until they had learnt the use of 
fire-arms. A handful of English could always march into 
their territory, and conquer a whole tribe, before the Euro- 
pean weapons were bi'ought into use among them. 

The successful termination of the Pequod war, was fol- 
lowed by a long season of uninterrupted peace, during which 
the colonies of New England continued to flourish, increas- 
ing in wealth and population. 

Settlements were constantly forming, and fresh emigrants 
arriving from England. In 1638, a Puritan colony was 
planted at New Haven, under the direction of John Daven- 
port, its pastor, and Theophilus Eaton, who, for twenty years, 



What became of the remnant of the 
Pequods ? 



What followed the Pequod war ? 
When was New Haven settled ? 



* Neal, i. 168. 



92 



THE THREE CONNECTICUT COLONIES. 



sustained the ofllce of governor. This was a separate juris- 
diction from that in the interior, so that, at this time, there 
were no less than three distinct political communities in the 
territory now called Connecticut, viz. Saybrook, under the 
proprietaries, Connecticut colony, under a commission from 
Massachusetts, and New Haven colony, claiming its territory 
by purchase from the Indians, and governing itself by virtue 
of a social contract. 



CHAPTER XH. 



THE COLONIES OF NEW ENGLAND UNITED. 

The increase of the colonics in New England, had already 
attracted consideiable attention in the mother country. Some 
of those who had fallen under the censure of the government 
in Massachusetts, had returned to England, and busied them- 
selves in exciting animosity against the colony. Gorges and 
Mason, who were rivals to the leaders of that colony, joined 
in the clamour against them. But there were friends of the 
colonists in England, who pleaded their cause with success. 

Notwitiistanding their exertions, however, an order in 
council was obtained, for preventing the departure of ships 
bound with passengers to New England ; and a requisition 
was made for producing the letters patent of the company in 
England. This requisition was evaded. A special commis- 
sion was then issued to the archbishop of Canterbury and 
others, for regulating the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the 
colonies, with power to revoke charters. 

When intelligence of this proceeding reached Boston, 
coupled with the rumour that a governor-general was on his 
way to assume the controul of afl'airs, the colonists began to 
prepare for resistance. Money was raised for erecting forti- 
fications, and the boldest measures were determined on. 

Mean time the council of Plymouth had resigned its char- 
ter, after parcelling out the territory among its members, 
which they had already granted by patents to others. They 



Enumerate the separate politicnl 
commuuitics existing in Connec- 
ticut. 

What is said of the New England co- 
lonies ? 

Of Gorges and Mason ? 



What hostile measures were threat- 
ened in Knj^l:\nd ? 

\Vhat was tlie cflcct of this news in 
New Ensjlnnd ? 

Wliat is s;iid of the council of Ply- 
mouth ? 



PERSECUTION ON THE PURITANS. 



93 



were not able, however, to take possession of the territory 
thus claimed, without the aid of government. At their in- 
stance a quo warranto was issued against the company of 
Massachusetts' Bay, and judgment was pronounced against 
its members. The other patentees of the Plymouth company 
were outlawed. But the death of Mason, their most active 
enemy, and the civil disturbances in England, prevented any 
further proceedings for the time. 

The persecution of Puritans raged with great fury in Eng- 
land. The punishments of scourging, mutilation, imprison- 
ment, and the pillory were inflicted on great numbers of 
them ; and when they attempted to fly from their persecutors 
to the safe asylum of the New World, the ships in which 
they proposed to embark were detained. In 1638, a squad- 
ron of eight ships, preparing to sail for New England, was 
detained in the Thames, by order of the privy council. This 
detention lasted, however, but a few days. 

It has been affirmed by historians, that Hampden and 
Cromwell were about to embark in this fleet ; but Mr. Ban- 
croft, in his history, has conclusively shown that this asser- 
tion is without foundation. 

During the civil wars of England, the colonies v/ere left in 
a state of peace and prosperity. The population increased 
rapidly. Twenty-one thousand two hundred emigrants had 
arrived before the assembling of the Long Parliament, and a 
million of dollars had been expended on the plantations. 
Agriculture, ship building, the fisheries, and an extensive 
commerce in furs, lumber, grain, and fish were the chiefs 
pursuits of the inhabitants. Their institutions of religion 
and civil government were highly favourable to habits of in- 
dustry and economy ; labour rendered their soil productive, 
and the natural result was a rapid increase of wealth and 
population. 

The members of the Long Parliament, being Puritans 
themselves, were disposed to extend every encouragement to 
the Puritan colonies. They freed the colonists from all -^^^^ 
taxation on exports and imports, and declared their ap- 
probation of the enterprise in which they were engaged. The 
colonists accepted tiie courtesy, but were careful to avoid too 
close a connection with these unsought friends. 



What prevented further proceedings ? 

What is said of the Puritans ? 

Of Hampden and Crorriwell ? 

Of the population of New England ? 



The pursuits and institutions of the 

people ? 
Of the Long Parliament ? 
Of the colonists ? 



94 



NEW ENGLAND COLONIES UNITED. 



In 1641, New Hampshire was annexed to Massachusetts, 
by request of the people, and on equal terms ; the inhabitants 
ol' the former province not being required to qualify its free- 
men or deputies, for a participation in the business of legisla- 
tion, by church membership. 

As early as 1637, a union of the colonies of New England 
had been proposed at a meeting of the leading magistrates 
and ciders of Connecticut, held in Boston ; but il was not 
until 1643, that a confederation was effected, embracing the 
separate governments of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connec- 
ticut, and New Haven, under the title of the United Colonies 
of New England. Their declared object was the protection 
of the lives, property, and liberties of the whole, against 
foreign or internal dangers. The local jurisdiction of the 
several states was carefully guarded. Two commissioners 
from each colony were to assemble annually to deliberate on 
the affairs of the confederacy. The measures which they 
determined were merely recommended to the several colonies, 
to be rnrried into effect by their local authorities. 

Rhode Island was excluded from the union, because it 
declined to come under the jurisdiction of Plymouth ; and 
the people of Providence Plantations and Maine were not 
admitted on account of the want of harmony between their 
religious views and those of the members of the confederacy. 

One of the chief offices of the commissioners of the United 
Colonies was the regulation of Indian affairs ; and their in- 
tervention was required soon after they had become organised. 
Miantonomoh, the sachem of the Narragansetts, prompted 
by an ancient grudge against Uncas, chief of the INIohegans, 
suddenly gathered his warriors, to the number of 1000, and 
fell upon the hated tribe with great fury. lie was defeated 
and taken prisoner; and Uncas applied to the commissioners 
for advice respecting the manner in which he should be dis- 
posed ol'. They inquired into the circumstances of the affair, 
and finding that Miantonomoh had killed a servant of Uncas, 
in time of peace, they pronounced him guilty of murder. 
How far an independent chieftain was amenable to their tri- 
bunal may be doubted. The Indian customs warranted his 
execution, and accordingly he was put to death by Uncas 
himself, on a spot beyond the jurisdiction of the colony. 



Of New Hnmpsliire f 

What was done in 1637 ? 

In 1643? 

What was the object of this union ? 



What colonics were excluded ? 
Wliy ■> 

Relate the affair of Miantonomoh 
and Uncas. 



ROGER WILLIAMS IN ENGLAND. 



95 



His tribe Avere greatly exasperated, but durst not attempt to 
avenge his death. 

In 1646, the people of Connecticut purchased the territory 
at the mouth of the river, from the assigns of the Earl of 
Warwick. 

Rhode Island, having been excluded from the union of the 
colonies, sought the immediate protection of the mother 
country. For this purpose the government despatched Roger 
Williams himself, the founder of the colony, to England. He 
was warmly received by the republicans, who had then the 
controul of affairs, and found no difficulty in obtaining from 
parliament, a free and absolute charter of civil government. 

On his return, he took letters of safe conduct from parlia- 
ment, and landed at Boston, whence, it will be recollected, 
he had been banished with an ignominy as signal as his i-eturn 
was now triumphant. His return to his own slate was 
marked with every demonstration of joy and welcome. On 
his arrival at Seekonk, he was met by a fleet of canoes, 
manned by the people of Providence, and conducted joyously 
to the opposite shore. 

Tlie affairs of Rhode Island were not yet finally settled. 
The executive council in England had granted to Coddington 
a separate jurisdiction of tlie islands. Justly apprehending 
that this would lead to the speedy dissolution of their little 
state, and the annexation of its ports to the neighbouring go- 
vernments, the people sent Williams again to England, ac- 
companied by John Clark ; and the danger was removed by 
the rescinding of Coddington's commission, and the confirma- 
tion of the charter. (1652.) 

The province of Maine had made but little progress under 
the auspices of Sir Ferdinand Gorges, as lord proprietary. 
He had granted a city chartei^to the town of York, which 
contained some 300 inhabitants, and sent out his cousin 
Thomas, to support the dignity of a deputy governor. He 
had expended much time and money on his favourite scheme 
of colonisation, but died at an advanced age, without realis- 
ing any benefit from it. 

After his death a dispute arose between the colonists who 
were settled under his charter, and those who had settled 
under Rigby's patent, for Lygonia. The magistrates of the 



What took place in 1646 ? 
What is related of Roger Williams ? 
How was he received on his re- 
turn ? 



What was the occasion of his second 

visit to England f 
What was tlie result ? 
What is related of Gorgjes ? 
What dispute arose after his death ? 



96 



MAINE UNITED WITH MASSACHUSETTS. 



neighbouring colony of Massacliusetts were appealed to by 
bolh parlies ; and alter a hearing, the litigants were informed 
that neither had a clear right, and were recommended to live 
in peace. The heirs of Gorges seemed to have forgotten the 
care of his colony, and his agents withdrew. Under these 
circumstances, the inhabitants of Piscataqua, York, and Wells 
accepted the offer of Massachusetts to place themselves under 
,„-„ her protection. The province was formally annexed 
to the Bay colony, and tlie towns, situated larlher east, 
readily sent in their adhesion. 

In 1655, Oliver Cromwell offered the people of New Eng- 
land a settlement in the Island of Jamaica, provided they 
Avould emigrate thither, and possess its fertile lands, and 
orange groves. But the people were too much attached to the 
country of their adoption to listen to such a proposal. They 
would have considered it a species of sacrilege, to abandon 
to the savages the consecrated asylum of their religion. 
The protector's offer was respectfully declined. 

The religious sentiments of the Puritan colonists gave a 
peculiar character to all their institutions. Religion was 
with them an affair of state ; and to preserve its purity was 
considered a paramount duly of the civil magistrate. We 
have seen the effects of this principle in the history of the 
Antinomian controversy, which led to the expulsion of Anne 
Hutchinson, and her disciples. It was now applied to the 
Anabaptists and Quakers. 

Clarke, a baptist of Rhode Island, of exemplary character, 
was fined for preaching at Lynn, and Holmes, for refusing to 
pay a fine, infiicted for his religious opinions, was publicly 
whipped. 

The union of church and state had become so intimate 
that offences against religion, as it was understood by the 
governing powers, were trfated as civil crimes. Absence 
from public worship was punished by a fine. The utterance 
of certain opinions was denounced as blasphemy, and visited 
with fine, imprisonment, exile, or death. ^linisters not 
ordained in the regular manner, were silenced by the public 
authorities; and the very men, who had fled from England 
to gain an asylum for religious freedom, were refusing the 
slightest toleration to any religious opinions but their own. 

It is not surprising tliat, in this stale of the colony, certain 



How was it scttlcil ? 
To wliat colony was Maine annexed i" 
What odcr was made by Cromwell ? 
Was it accci)ted ? 



What sects were now persecuted? 
W!iy f 

What measures were taken by tlie 
government ? 



PiERSECUTlGN OF QUAKERS. 97 

members of the society of Friends, who came into Massachu- 
setts, and made known their sentiments, were dealt with in a 
summary manner. Mary Fisher and Ann Austin, members 
of the society, who arrived in Boston in July, 1656, were 
put in close custody for five weeks, and then banished. A 
special law was passed, prohibiting their admission into the 
colony; and a fine was imposed on such as should entertain 
them. The Quakers not being deterred from visiting the 
forbidden ground by these regulations, a law was finally 
passed which banished them on pain of death. Several 
persons were actually hanged under this enactment. Such 
proceedings evince at once the peculiar delusion of the times, 
and the dangerous tendency of a union of church and state. 
It is fortunate that this delusion was temporary ; and that the 
unnatural combination which led to it, was soon dissolved. 

The people of New England were early impressed with 
the importance of a pravision for general instruction. la 
1647, a law was passed for the establishment of public 
schools, requiring one in every township containing fifty 
householders ; and a grammar school where boys could be 
fitted for college in every town containing one hundred 
families. A sum equal to a year's rate of the whole colony 
of Massachusetts had been voted for the erection of a college, 
in 16.36; and in 1638, John Harvard, who died soon after 
his arrival in this country, bequeathed half his estate and all 
his library to the college. The institution has ever since 
borne his name. It was supported with great zeal not only 
by the inhabitants of the Bay colony, but by all the other 
members of the New England confederacy ; and the example 
of Massachusetts was followed by the others in the establish- 
ment of public schools. The benefits of this early and con- 
stant attention to education have been felt in every period of 
their history ; and the character which it has impressed on 
the people of New England has given them a degree of 
influence and importance in the Union, which could have 
been acquired by no other means. 



What Quakers were persecuted ? 
What is observed of these proceed- 

inp;s ? 
What law was passed in 1647 ? 
For what was a sum of money voted ? 



Who was the founder of Harvard 

College ? 
What other colonics founded schools 

and colleges ? 



9 



98 THE REGICIDES IN NEW ENGLAND. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

NEW ENGLAND AFTER THE RESTORATION. 

The restoration of Charles II could hardly be considered 
an auspicious event by the people of New England. On the 
,p„j. contrary, it afforded them the strongest reason to ex- 
pect an abridgment of their commercial advantages, and 
an attack upon their religious and political privileges. They 
were accordingly in no haste to recognise the royal authority. 
In July, 1660, "Whaley and Goffe, two of the late king's 
judges, arrived in Boston, and announced the restoration of 
Charles II, but represented the mother country as being in a 
very unsettled state. They were freely permitted to travel 
through New England, and received many attentions from the 
inhabitants. 

When, at length, it was known that the king's authority 
was firmly established in England, and that complaints against 
the colony of Massachusetts had been presented to the privy 
council and both houses of parliament, by Quakers, royalists, 
and others adverse to its interests, the people became con- 
vinced of the necessity of decisive action. A general court 
Avas convened, and an address was voted to the king, vin- 
dicating the colony from the charges of its enemies, professing 
the most dutiful attaciiment to the sovereign, and soliciting 
protection for their civil and ecclesiastical institutions. A 
similar address was made to parliament, and the agent of the 
colony was instructed to exert himself to obtain a continuance 
of the commercial immunities which had been granted by the 
Long Parliament. 

Before he had time to obey these instructions, a duty of 
five per cent, on exports and imports had already been im- 
posed ; and before the session closed, the famous navigation 
act was reenacted. The king returned a gracious answer to 
the colonial address, accompanied by an order for the appre- 
hension of Goffe and Whaley. 

This small measure of royal favour was joyfully received, 
and a day of thanksgiving was appointed, to acknowledge 
the favour of Heaven in disposing the king to clemency. A 



What is said of the Restoration ? 
AVhat happened in July, 16G0 ? 
What was at length done by the ge- 
neral court ? 



Hy parliament ? 
Hy the king ? 
By the colonists ? 



THE KING S LETTER. 



99 



formal requisition for the regicide judges was sent to New 
Haven, whither they had gone ; but matters were so ar- 
ranged that they escaped from their pursuers, and lived ia 
New England to the end of their days. 

Apprehensions of danger to their civil and religious righSs 
were still felt by the colonists, notwithstanding the bland 
professions of the king. Rumours of a meditated attack on 
their commercial privileges, and of the coming of a governor- 
general for all North America, were seriously believed. 
This led to the famous Declaration of Rights on the part of 
Massachusetts, in which the powers and duties of the colony 
were very clearly and ably defined. Having thus declared 
the terms on which his authorit)^ should be recognised, the 
general court caused the king to be solemnly proclaimed as 
their undoubted prince and sovereign lord. 

Agents were then sent over to England to protect the inte- 
rests of the colony, who were favourably received, and soon 
returned to Boston, bringing a letter from the king confirm- 
ing the colonial charter, and granting an amnesty to all po- 
litical offenders who were not already attainted for high trea- 
son ; but requiring that the oath of allegiance should be 
administered ; that justice should be distributed in the king's 
name ; that the church of England should be tolerated ; and 
that the qualification of church membership for civil officers 
should be dispensed with. 

Of all these requisitions, the only one which was com- 
plied with was that which directed the judicial proceedings 
to be conducted in the king's name. The others were pub- 
lished, but reserved for deliberation. The agents, Brad- 
street and Norton, who had returned with the letter, were so 
severely reproached for not being able to procure better terms 
of acceptance witli the king, that one of them, Norton, actu- 
ally died of a broken heart. His unhappy fate seemed to 
convince the colonists of their injustice, and his death was 
universally and sincerely mourned. 

Rhode Island was not backward in acknowledging the 
restored king. He was early proclaimed in the colony, and 
an agent, being despatched to England, soon succeeded in 
obtaining a charter which granted the most ample privileges. 



What is said of the rej^icides ? 

Of the declaration of rights ? 

Of tlie general court ? 

Of the agents sent to England ? 

What terms were offered by the king ? 



How were thej' disposed of ? 

What is said of the agents after their 
return ? 

Of Rhode Island and its new char- 
ter ? 



100 



TJEW CHAPTERS GRANTED. 



It gave lo the patentees the title of the Governor and Com- 
pany of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence. 
The form of government, prescribed by it, was llie usual one 
of a governor, assistants, and representatives elected by the 
freemen. It was received with the greatest satisfaction, as it 
confirmed to the colonists the democratical constitution to 
which they had always been accustomed. 

Connecticut deputed John Winthrop, son of the celebrated 
governor of Massacluisetts, as their agent at court, who had 
no difficulty in obtaining a charter in almost every respect 
the same with that whicii had been gi-anted to Rhode Island. 
It differed from it, however, in requiring the oaths of alle- 
giance and supremacy to be administered to the inhabitants. 
By the new charter New Haven v.'as united with Connecti- 
cut ; an arrangement which was for some time opposed by 
the people of the former colony, although they finally con- 
curred in it. AVinthrop, on his return, was cordially wel- 
comed ; and was annually chosen governor of ihe colony 
during the remainder of his life. 

The privileges confirmed by these charters were subse- 
quently of immense importance to the cause of liberty. 

The English government had always questioned the right 
of the Dutch to their settlements in what are now called tiie 
Middle States ; the history and extent of which we shall 
notice in another place. Charles II now resolved to dispos- 
sess them, and accordingly granted the territory to his bro- 
ther, the Duke of York, who sent Colonel Nichols, with 
four ships and three hundred soldiers, for the purpose of taking 
possession. In the same ships came four commissioners, 
' empowered to hear and determine complaints and appeals 
in causes, as well military as civil, within New England, 
and to proceed for settling the peace and security of the 
country.' Their real object was to find pretexts for recall- 
ing the liberal charters of the colonies. (1664.) 

The people and government of Massachusetts were awake 
to their dansjcr, and exhibited an admirable mixture of firm- 
ness and address in a crisis so alarming. On the arrival of 
the commissioners in Boston, their credentials were laid 
before the council, with a letter from tlie king, requiring 



Connecticut ? 

Of Jolm Winthrop ? 

For what purpose was Colonel Ni- 
chols sent from England to Ame- 
rica ? 



For what pretended objects were 

commissioners sent with him • 
What was their real object ? 
What is said of Massachusetts ? 
Of tlie commissioners ? 



COLONIAL CHARTERS ENDANGERED. 



101 



prompt assistance in the expedition against New Nether- 
lands. The general court was convened, and, after declaring 
their loyalty and their attachment to the charter, voted a sub- 
sidy of two hundred men. Meantime Colonel Nichols pro- 
ceeded to Manhattan, and reduced the colony before the 
Massachusetts troops could arrive, so that their services were 
never required. 

The commissioners now called the attention of the general 
court to the king's letter, received two years before, but not 
much regarded. Their recommendation was complied with 
so far, that a law was passed extending the elective franchise 
to persons who were not church members. The assembly 
next transmitted a letter to the king, expressive of their ap- 
prehension of danger to their rights, from the extraordinary 
powers of the commissioners, and concluding with these 
remarkable words : ' Let our government live ; our patent 
live ; our magistrates live ; our religious enjoyments live ; 
so shall we all yet have farther cause to say from our hearts, 
let the king live for ever.' 

The commissioners, meantime, had proceeded to the other 
colonies. In Plymouth and in Rhode Island they met with 
no opposition. In Connecticut they were rather civilly re- 
ceived, and found no reason for complaint. In New Hamp- 
shire and Maine they decided in favour of the claims of 
Gorges and Mason, and erected a royal government in those 
provinces. They then returned to Boston, and renewed 
their disputes with the general court, which were continued 
with great animosity until the commissioners were recalled, 
and Massachusetts was ordered to send agents to England to 
answer complaints against their proceedings. This order 
was evaded. 

Massachusetts, soon afterwards, resumed her authority 
over New Hampshire and Maine. 

After the departure of the commissioners, New England 
enjoyed a season of prosperous tranquillity. The king was 
too much engrossed by the calamities and discontents of his 
subjects at home to disturb the colonies. 

This state of repose was interrupted by the famous war 
of King Philip. This prince was the second son of Massa- 



The general court ? 
Colonel Nichols ? 
Of the king's letter ? 
What law was passed ? 
What was expressed in the letter to 
the king ? 



What was done by the commissioners 
in the other colonies ? 

What passed on their return to Bos- 
ton ? 

After tlieir departure for England? 

What war ensued ? 



102 



KING PHILIP S WAR. 



soit, but he was far from inheriting the pacific and friendly 
disposition of liis father. He was entr;iged for five years in 
maturing an extensive conspiracy, wliich had for its object, 
the utter extermination of the English colonies. In 1075, 
he commenced hostilities, and, by means of alliance with 
other tribes, he was able to bring three thousand warriors 
into the field. Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut 
united in opposing him. The war raged with great fury, 
and with various success, until August, 1076, when Philip, 
after a series of disasters, in which his family and chief 
counsellors were all destroyed, himself fell a victim to the 
treachery of one of his own tribe. The tribes bordering on 
Maine and New Hampshire, who had risen at the same time, 
abandoned the war on receiving the news of Philip's death. 

While this war was raging, the King of England was en- 
deavouring to wrest from Massachusetts the controulof New 
Hampsliire and Maine. He had been for some time treating 
for the purchase of these provinces from the heirs of Mason 
and Gorges, intending to bestow them on his son, the Duke 
of Monmouth ; but while lie delayed to complete tlie negotia- 
tion, Massachusetts purchased Maine for 1,200 pounds, and 
refused to give it up. New Hampshire having become a 
distinct colony, the legislature expressed a lively regret at 
being obliged, by the will of the sovereign, to relinquish their 
connection with Massachusetts. 

The laws restricting commerce were made the subject of 
dispute between the colony of Massaciiusetts and the crown. 
Randolph, an active enemy of the colonial government, was 
sent over to act as collector at Boston. He was almost always 
unsuccessful in his suits for the recovery of duties, and finally 
returned to England. The controversy lasted until Massa- 
chusetts was compelled to relinquish her charter. (1684.) 
Charles H died before completing his system for the complete 
subjugation of New England. 

His successor, James H, appointed a president and council 
as a temporary government for Massachusetts, New Hamp- 
shire, Maine, and the Narragansctts. These commissioners 
proceeded with great moderation, and were superseded by the 
appointment of Sir Edward Andros, as captain-general and 



What was Philip's force ? 

Ilmv lorif; diil the war i-age .' 

Kow dill it terminate r' 

IUl;iti' the circumstances attending 

the purchase of Maine. 
What became a subject of dispute ? 



What state lost its charter ? 
Who succeeded Charles II ? 
^Vhat sort of government did he ap- 
point ? 
What otiice did he give to Andros f 



REVOLUTION OF 1688. 



103 



vice-admiral of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New 
Plymouth, Pemaquid, and Narragansett, with a council to be 
appointed by the crown, to make laws and lay taxes. 

Andros arrived in Boston in 1685, and revoked the charter 
of Rhode Island, notwithstanding the submission of that 
colony. Connecticut would have shared the same fate, but 
the charter was concealed in a tree until the danger was past. 
The charter oak was, for ages after, held in remembrance. 

The administration of Andros was rendered odious to the 
people by a variety of exactions and oppressive regulations. 
Their land titles were declared void, and new patents were 
offered at enormous prices. The object of the royal governor 
appears to have been to amass a fortune for himself, to break 
the charters, and unite the several colonies in one, for the 
purpose of effectually resisting the encroachments of the 
French from Canada. • 

Mather, an ancient divine and politician, was sent to Eng- 
land to obtain redress ; but the king was inflexible in his 
.purpose of uniting the colonies, and annexed New York and 
the Jerseys to the government of Andros. 

The relief which he denied was brought by the revolution 
of 1688, which was no sooner known in Boston than the 
inhabitants joyfully proclaimed the new sovereigns, William 
and Mary. They had already, on the first rumour of the 
arrival of the sovereigns in England, imprisoned Andros and 
fifty of his adherents, and restored the government to the 
ancient magistrates. This example was speedily followed 
by Connecticut and Rhode Island. 

New Hampshire was re-annexed to Massachusetts by its 
own act ; but subsequently separated by the desire of King 
William. 

The revolution of 1688 afforded the people of Massachu- 
setts grounds for expecting the restitution of their charter. 
Agents were sent to England for this purpose, but their efforts 
were not attended with success. The king was determined 
to retain at his own disposal the appointment of governor. 
He was, however, at length induced to grant a new charter, 



How did Andros proceed with Rhode 
Island ? 

How was the charter of Connecticut 
saved ? 

What were tlie acts of Andres's ad- 
ministration ? 

What was his object ? 

Who was sent to Enjrland ? 



For what purpose ? 
With what success ? 
What brought relief ? 
How was the news received ? 
What had the Bostonians done ? 
What was done in the other New 
England colonics ? 



104 



BORDER WARS. 



although of a less liberal character than the former one. It 
gave to the king the power of appointing a governor, who 
might call, adjourn, prorogue, and dissolve the legislature 
at pleasure. He had also the appointment of all military 
officers, and with the consent of his council, of all officers 
belonging to the courts of justice. The charter also annexed 
Plymouth and Nova Scotia to Massachusetts ; but omitted 
New Hampshire, which always afterwards remained a sepa- 
rate government. 

On the arrival of the new governor, Sir William Phipps, 
the general court was convened, and accepted the charter. 
(1092.) 

While these events were passing, a war with France was 
raging, which involved New England and New York in a 
series of bloody and desolating actions with the Canadians 
and Indians. Among other atrocities, the village of Schenec- 
tady was surprised by a party of French and Indians, and 
many of the iuhnbitants massacred. The borders of New 
Hampshire and Maine experienced similar horrors from the 
same unrelenting enemies. 

Determined to carry the war into the enemy's country, the 
general court of Massachusetts planned and executed a descent 
upon Port Royal, under Sir William Phipps, which was con- 
pletely successful; and all Acadia was subjugated. Another 
against Quebec, in which they had the assistance of New 
York and Connecticut, failed for want of decision and energy 
in the commander. 

The general court was obliged to issue bills of credit to pay 
the expenses of the army — a measure which was afterwards 
productive of much inconvenience and discontent, as the bills 
suffi^rcd a heavy depreciation in the hands of the soldiers. 

In 1G93, an expedition against Martinique, undertaken by 
the colonists, failed ; and in IGDC), Port Koyal was recovered 
by France, and all Acadia resumed its allegiance to that 
country. The peace of Ryswick aH'ordcd the colonists of 
each country, as well as the belligerent powers in Europe, a 
brief repose. 

When hostilities were renewed in Europe, in 1702, the 
terrible border war was recommenced. A treaty of neutrality 



Who prnnted to Massachusetts a new 

cliartei- ? 
How di<l it difTer with the former one ? 
Who was the first royal governor .' 
With whom was a war raging .' 
Whiit colonies sulFered by it.' 



What was done by the general 

conrt ? 
Sir William Phipps ? 
What is said of tlie bills of credit .' 
What was done in 1G93 and 1(J96 ? 
In 1702 f 



INDIAN INCURSIONS. 



105 



between the governor of Canada, and the Five Nations of 
Indians, having been negociated, New York was left un- 
molested ; and th.e whole weight of the war fell on New 
England. An ineffectual attempt was made to reduce Acadia 
in 1707, by governor Dudley of Massachusetts, with an army 
of 1000 men raised in the colonies east of Connecticut; and 
in 1708, Haverhill in Massachusetts was burnt by the Indians, 
and about one hundred persons killed, and many more carried 
into captivity. Similar incursions were made along the 
whole northern border, from the river St. Croix to the great 
lakes ; and the history of those times abounds with stories of 
scalping and plundering parties of Indians, attacking the 
defenceless villages, burning the houses, killing numbers of 
the helpless inhabitants, without distinction of age or sex, 
and then hurrying back to Canada with a handful of captives, 
before a force could be raised sufEcicnt to resist or punish 
the aggression. 

The brave colonists were by no means passive under these 
injuries. We are surprised, in reading the annals of this 
early period of' their settlement, at the energy of character 
and extent of resources displayed by them. Believing that 
the French were the instigators of all the Indian hostilities, 
they were constantly raising large fleets and armies for the 
purpose of depriving them of their American possessions. 
Expeditions were repeatedly fitted out for Canada and Nova 
Scotia, at the sole expense of the New England colonies. 
The British government v/as too much occupied in humbling 
the pride of Louis XIV, to render more than occasional and 
insufficient aid to the colonists in their arduous struggle. 
Some regiments were furnished for the expedition, which 
took Port Royal in 1710, and this grace was acknowledged 
by giving tlie captured place the name of Annapolis in honour 
of Queen Anne. 

A few regiments of Marlborough's veterans were sent over 
to assist in the grand expedition against Quebec and Montreal, 
which took place in 1711; and failed, notwithstanding the 
unsparing efforts of the colonies in raising men, and the 
lavish expenditure of bills of credit. When the treaty of 
Utrecht at length afforded them a breathing time, the colonists 
found themselves weakened in numbers, exhausted of funds, 



In 1707? Whatis said of the colonists? 
Tlie British government ? 
What is s:iid of the expedition to 
Port Royal ? 



Of the expedition against Quehec and 

Montreal ? 
Of the exertions of the colonists ? 



106 CONTROVERSY WITH THE CUOWN. 

and encunibcred with a heavy public d«bt. They, no doubt, 
■considered it a hard case that they should be compelled to 
<]epeiKi so nni-ch upon their own resources. Uut this was 
the most fortunate circumstance of their condition. Had ihey 
been jwrfectly protected, th«)' would scarcely have taken the 
trouble to learn the art of war. The exertions they were 
compelled to make in their own defence, rendered them a 
young nation of soldiers ; and paved the way for the successful 
assertion of their indepcTidence. 

After the return of peace, the New England colonics fount! 
themselves embarrassed with a heavy public debt, the conse- 
quence of the unavoidable emission of bills of credit for the 
payment of the soldiers. Various expedients were proposed 
for relief; but the evil proved a lasting one; and all the exer- 
tions of the different legislatures could not prevent a constant 
depreciation of the paper, and consequent loss to the holders. 

In Massachusetts a controversy arose, (1619,) which is 
worthy of particular attention, as it evinces in the people that 
jealous guardianship of tJieir rights, and that determined adhe- 
rence to a principle of freedom, once adopted, which runs 
through the whole of their historj^- ; and which rendered that 
state on all occasions of collision with the mother country, the 
acknowledged champion of the New England confederacy. 

When, by their new charter, the people of this colony were 
■constrained to receive a governor appointed by the king, they 
established a system of donations and free gifts to this func- 
tionary, undoubtedly with a view to attach him to their own 
cause, and identify liis interests with those of the colony. 
Determined to break up this system. Queen Anne gave pe- 
remptory orders that the governors should receive no more 
gifts ; and required that the legislature should fix their salaries 
permanently at a stun named by herself. 

The wary republicans regarded this as an inordinate stretch 
of arbitrary power; and offered the most determined resist- 
ance. This led to constant misunderstanding between the 
governor and his council, and the legislature. One of the 
disputes related to the right of the governor to negative the 
appointment of the speaker, and the ritjht of the house to 
adjourn. An appeal was carried to England, and the conse- 
quence was an explanatory charter favouring the governor's 
views, which after some difficulty the legislature accepted. 



Of the public debt ? 
Of its elFccts ? 



What (jave rise to a controversy with 

the crown ? 
Give its liistory 



FRENCH WAKr 



107 



In 1728, Mr. Burnet, who had been appointed governor of 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, arrived in Boston, and 
was received with great pomp. When the legislature met, 
be communicated the king's instructions to insist on an esta- 
blished salary, and his own determination to adhere to them. 
This was the signal for a new contest, and a long series of 
vexatious proceedings followed. The legislature would readily 
vote him a large sum of money ; but they firmly declined to 
bind themselves to any annual payment ; and the governor, 
to exhaust their patience, changed the place of their meeting 
from town to town. The contest lasted for three years, ex- 
tending into governor Belcher's administration ; and at length 
was terminated by the governor's obtaining from the king 
permission to accept such sums as might be given by the 
assembly. The people by inflexible firmness had gained their 
point. 

In 1744, war broke out between France and England. This 
was immediately followed by a descent on Nova Scotia, which 
had been ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Utrecht. 
The French governor of Cape Breton took possession of Can- 
seau in Nova Scotia, and made the garrison and inhabitants 
prisoners of war. He then attacked Annapolis, but was de- 
feated by the arrival of a reinforcement from Massachusetts. 
These offensive operations determined the English colonists 
to attempt the complete subjugation of the French possessions 
in North America. 

The island of Cape Breton was at that time deemed a high- 
ly important post for the protection of the French commerce 
and fisheries. Its fortifications had already cost thirty mil- 
lions of livres, and twenty-five years of labour. It was the 
bulwark of the French colonies. 

Shirley, who was at this time governor of Massachusetts, 
had conceived the project of conquering this island. Informa- 
tion of the position and strength of Louisbourg, the principal 
fortress on Cape Breton, and of the design of the French to 
send a large fleet for the conquest of Nova Scotia, had been 
brought to him by prisoners who had returned from captivity, 
and this confirmed Shirley in his design. 

He accordingl)^ made application for assistance to the Bri- 
tish admiralty, and obtained a promise of the co-operation of 
Commodore Warren with a large fleet. Mr. Vaughan, son 



How did it terminate ? 
What took place in 1744 ? 
What was done by the French gover- 
nor of Cape Breton ? 



What is said of that island ? 
Of governor Shirley ? 
Of the admiralty ? 



108 



EXPEDITION AGAINST LOUISEOURO. 



of the lieutenant governor of New Hampshire, had convinced 
himself of the practicability of the conquest of Cape Breton, 
and his strong representations served to confirm the governor 
still further in his favourite purpose. He now proceeded to 
act with a decision corresponding with his high hopes of 
success. 

Having enjoined secrecy on the members of the general 
court, he laid before them liis project. They deliberated 
upon it, but soon pronounced the enterprise too hazardous and 
uncertain to warrant their engaging in it. One of their mem- 
bers, who performed family devotion in his lodgings, so far 
forgot the governor's injunction of secrecy as to pray for the 
Divine blessing on the proposed expedition. It tluis became 
known to the people; and numerous petitions were sent in to 
the general court, praying for a reconsideration of their vote, 
and the adoption of the governor's design. The colonists 
were anxious to acquire Louisbourg, in order to save their 
fisheries from ruin. 

Carried away by the enthusiasm of the people, the legisla- 
ture resolved to prosecute the enterprise, and all classes were 
intent on the business of preparation. A general embargo 
was laid ; funds were raised by voluntary contributions and 
by an emission of bills of credit; troops were embarked from 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut ; 
and by the middle of April, 1745, an army of four thousand 
men, under the command of Colonel Pepperel, was assembled 
at Canseau, whore they were soon joined by Admiral Warren 
with a considerable part of his fleet. They soon embarked 
for Chapeaurouge bay, and the fleet cruised ofl" Louisbourg. 

A landing being effected near Louisbourg, with little oppo- 
sition, Vaughan, with four hundred men, marched round to 
the north-east part of the harbour, and set fire to some ware- 
houses containing spirituous liquors and naval stores. The 
smoke concealed the number of the assailants, which being 
cxagg-eratcd by tlie fears of the French garrison, they aban- 
doned the fort and fled into the town. Next morning, Vaughan 
was enabled to surprise a battery, and hold possession of it 
until the arrival of a reinforcement. 

The troops were now occupied for fourteen nights in drag- 
ging cannon from the landing place, two miles through a deep 



Of Mr. Va\if;han ? 

Of the general court ? 

How was the project divulged? 

What was the consequence ? 

What preparations were made ? 



How did the army commence optriv- 

tions ? 
What was done by Vaughan ? 
By the troops ? 



CAPTURE OF LOUISBOURG. 109 

morass, to the encampment. AVhile the siege was thus 
proceeding, the British fleet, off the harbour, captured the 
Vigilant, a French frigate, having on board a reinforcement of 
five hundred and sixty men, and supplies for the garrison. 
8oon after this an attack was made on the island battery by 
four hundred men, which failed with the loss of sixty killed, 
and one hundred and sixteen taken prisoners. But even this 
disaster seems to have been fortunate ; for the prisoners united 
in giving tlie French a most exaggerated and formidable ac- 
count of the English force. 

Deprived of his expected supplies of men and provisions, 
%id apprehending an immediate assault, the French governor 
of Louisbourg, Duchambon, determined to surrender, and in a 
few days sent in his capitulation. An examination of the 
fortress after its surrender, convinced the victors that it would 
have proved impregnable against any assault. 

It may well be supposed that the news of this important 
conquest spread universal joy through New England. It had 
been the people's own enterprise; undertaken at their own 
earnest solicitation ; fitted out from their own resources of 
men and money, and accomplished by their own courage and 
perseverance. It was a noble triumph of New England spirit 
and resolution. 

Pepperel and Shirley were rewarded by the British govern- 
ment with the honours of knighthood ; and parliament ordered 
reimbursements to be made for the expenses of the expedition. 
AVhen Duvivier, the French admiral, charged with a fleet and 
army to attempt the conquest of Nova Scotia, heard of the 
fall of Louisbourg, he relinquished the expedition and returned 
to Europe. 

Shirley now wrote to the British government for reinforce- 
ments of men and ships, for the purpose of attempting the 
conquest of Canada, and raised a large body of forces in the 
colonies. But before offensive operations could be com- 
menced, news was brought that the Duke d'Anville had ar- 
rived in Nova Scotia with a formidable armament, intended 
for the invasion of New England. The apprehensions caused 
by this intelligence were soon after dissipated by the arrival 
of some prisoners set at liberty by the French, who reported 



By the fleet ? 

What resulted from the attack on the 

island battery P ' 

Why did Duchambon surrender ? 
How was .the news received in New 

England ? 



How were Pepperel and Shirley re- 
warded ? 

What was Shiiley's design after 
this ? 

How was it frustrated ? 



10 



110 QUESTION OF BClNDAniES 

that the fioel had sufTered so severely by storms on its passage, 
anil the sirkne«;s of tlie troops, that it was in no condition to 
make a descent on New England. It sailed from Chebucto, 
however, for the purpose of attacking Annapolis, and was 
again overtaken and scattered by a terrible storm. The ships 
which escaped destruction, returned singly to France. The 
French and Indians, who had invaded Nova Scotia, were 
afterwards expelled by the Massachusetts troops. 

The French war was soon after terminated by the treaty of 
Aix la Chapelle, which restored to botli parties all the posses- 
sions taken during the war, so that the colonists had the 
mortiiicalion of seeing their dear-bought conquest of Cape 
Breton restored to the Frencli. 

After tlie return of peace, the legislature of Massachusetts 
redeemed her bills of credit; and thus restored stability and 
vigour to her cnmmerce, which had languished for some years 
in consequence of the depreciation of the currency. 

The treaty of Aix la Chapelle left the question of the bound- 
aries between tlie American possessions of France and Eng- 
land unsettled ; and the controversies conceriiing it were as- 
suming an aspect more serious in proportion to the increasing 
wealth and importance of the respective territories. The right 
of discovery was pleaded on both sides, and the right of prior 
possession was urged wherever it existed; but so large a part 
of the country was siill unsettled, and even unvisited, that the 
question of bcMindaries opened a wide field for discussion. 

The line between Canada and New England, the bounda- 
ries of Nova Scotia, and the extent of Louisiana were all sub- 
jects of dispute. The last mentioned territory had been 
acquired by the French in 1722, when New Orleans received 
the remnant of a colony of that nation, which bail been planted 
near Mobile. It was now beginning to flourish ; and settle- 
ments were extending up the Mississippi, towards the great 
lakes. This circumstance gave rise to a grand project for 
connecting New Orleans with Canada by a chain of forts ex- 
tending along the whole western and northern frontier of the 
British colonies. 

Such a design was too important not to receive the most 
earnest attention of both nations. Its execution became the 
grand object of desire to one and dread to the other ; and was 



What saved New England from inva- 
sion ? 

What wore the consequences of the 
treaty of Aix la Cliapelle ? 

What was done by Massachusetts ? 



Wliat was a new subject of dispute 
between France and England ? 

What design was entertained by 
France ? 



CHARACTER OF THK NEW ENCiLANDERS. 



Ill 



the central point of all the operations of the succeeding French 
war, which will become the subject of attention in another 
part of this history. 

At the period to which we have now brought our narrative, 
the INew England colonies had acquired no small importance, 
not only in view of the other North American communities, 
but of Europe. The inhabitants had displayed a degree of 
hardihood and perseverance in their early settlements, an ac- 
tivity and enterprise in their commercial operations, a firmness 
in defence of their liberties, and an indomitable courage in their 
wars, which could not pass unnoticed. Their resources in 
agriculture and trade were greatly developed ; and their popu- 
lation exceeded a million of souls. The influence which they 
exercised on the subsequent destinies of the whole country 
was commensurate with these important advantages •f cha- 
racter and ability. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



COLONISATION OF NEW YORK. 



The territory now occupied by the middle states of the 
American Union, was originally settled by the Dutch and 
Swedes. In 1609, Henry Hudson, an Englishman, in the 
service of the East India company of Holland, set sail from 
the Texel for the discovery of a north-west passage to India. 
On his voyage he touched at Long Island, and sailed a consi- 
derable distance up the river to which his own name was 
afterwards given. The right of discovery, supposed to be thus 
acquired, and the favourable reports of subsequent voyagers, 
induced a company of Dutch merchants to establish a trading 
settlement ; and the States-general promoted the enterprise by 
granting them a patent for the exclusive trade of the Hudson 
river. They built a fort near Albany, which they called Fort 
Orange, and a few trading houses on Manhattan island, which 
is now called the island of New York. These events took 
place in 1613. 

The claim thus established by the Dutch, was regarded by 



What was the state of New England 

at this period ? 
Who first colonised the middle states ? 



Who discovered Hudson river? When? 
Where did the Dutch form settle- 
ments ? When ? 



112 



THE NEAV NETHERLANDS. 



them as valid ; but in the same year the English, wlio consi- 
dered themselves entitled to all North America, because the 
continent was first discovered by Cabot, sent Captain Argall 
from Virginia to dispossess all intruders on the coast. Having 
taken possession of Port Royal, St. Saviour, and St. Croix, 
French settlements in Acadia, Argall paid a visit to the Dutch 
at Manhattan, and ordered them to surrender the place. The 
Dutch governor, having no means of defence, submitted him- 
self antl his colony to the British authority, and consented to 
pay tribute. 

In the year following, however, a new governor having 
arrived at the fort, with a reinforcement of settlers, the claim 
of the English to dependence was forthwith defied, and the 
payment of tribute, imposed by Argall, resisted. For the 
better protection of their claim to the country, they erected a 
fort at the south-west point of the island. Here they were 
left undisturbed by the English for many years ; maturing 
their settlements, increasing their numbers, and establishing a 
prosperous and 'quiet little colony.' 

In 1621, the attention of the government of Holland being 
directed to the importance of this settlement in America, they 
granted a patent to the Dutch West India Company, embrac- 
ing the territory from the (Jonnecticiit river to the Delaware, 
under the title of the New Netherlands, Under this com- 
pany, the colony was considerably extended. The city of 
New Amsterdam, afterwards called New York, was built on 
Manhattan island; and in 1G23, at the distance of 150 miles 
higher up the Hudson river, the foundations were laid of the 
city of Albany. Their first fort in this place was called fort 
Aurania, a name which was afterwards changed to Fort 
Orange. The same year they built a fort on the east side of 
the Delaware, which they named Fort Nassau. Ten years 
afterwards, they erected a fort on the Connecticut river near 
Hartford, and called it Fort Good Hope. Their possessions 
■were tlius extended, or rather scattered, from the Connecticut 
to the Delaware. 

The Swedes were already settled on the Delaware; and 
the claims of the two nations were afterwards the subject of 
controversy, until the final siil)jugation of the whole territory 
by the Dutch. Tlic English extended their settlements to 



Relate Arpall's proceedings. 
What happened next year r* 
What was done in 1G21 ? 
In 1623 ? 



How far were the Dutch possessions 

extended in 1(533 .' 
Where were the Swedes settled ? 
Who dispossessed them ? 



GOVERNOR STUYVESANT. 113 

the Connecticut, and after disputes, which lasted many years, 
finally ejected the Dutch from their fort on that river. 

During their occupancy of this post, however, the Dutch 
received frequent assistance from their English neighbours, 
in their wars with the Indians. So little accustomed were 
the Dutch to this species of warfare, that, on one occasion, 
their governor, Kieft, was obliged to engage the services of 
Captain Underbill, who had been banished from Boston for 
his eccentricities in religion. This commander, with one 
hundred and fifty men, succeeded in making good the defence 
of the Dutch settlements. In 1646, a great battle was fought 
on Strickland's Plain, in which the Dutcii gained the victory. 

In 16.50, Peter Siuyvesant, the governor of New Nether- 
lands, went to Hartford, and demanded from the commission- 
ers of the United Colonies of New England a full surrender 
of the lands on Connecticut river. Several days were spent 
in controversy on the subject, and articles of agreement were 
finally signed, by which Long Island was divided between 
the parties ; and the Dutch were permitted to retain only 
those lands on the Connecticut which they held in actual 
possession. 

On the Delaware, Stuyvesant defended the claims of his 
country against both the English and the Swedes. In 1651, 
he built fort Casimir, on the river, near New Castle. The 
Swedes, claiming the country, protested against this invasion 
of their rights ; and Risingh, their governor, treacherously 
surprised it, and taking possession, compelled the garrison to 
swear allegiance to Christina, Queen of Sweden. Stuyvesant, 
taking fire at this outrage, determined to invade and subdue 
the whole Swedish settlement. He accordingly proceeded to 
execute his purpose, and easily succeeded in so far intimidat- 
ing the Swedes, that they quietly surrendered the whole of 
their establishments, and soon became incorporated with the 
conquerors. 

During the next ten years, Stuyvesant was occupied in 
strengthening and extending the colony of New Netherlands. 
But he was only rendering it a more valuable acquisition for 
his powerful neighbours. Charles II was now (1664) king 
of England, and forgetting the friends who had afforded him 
shelter during his long exile, he sought every pretext for a 



Who took the Dutch fort on the Con- 
necticut ? 

Who aided the Dutch in their wars 
with the Indians ? 



What was done in 1650 ? In 1651 f 
Who was the conqueror of New 

Sweden ? 
Give an account of the conquest. 



10* J 



114 



COLONEL Nichols's administration. 



quarrel with Holland. Among others he asserted his claim 
to the province of New Netherlands ; and, without regarding 
the claims of the actual occupants, he executed a charter con- 
veying to his brother, the Duke of York, the whole territory- 
lying between the Connecticut and the Delaware. No sooner 
did the Duke of York obtain this grant, tlian he conveyed to 
Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, all that portion novr 
constituting the state of New Jersey. 

To carry the king's grant into effect. Colonel Nichols was 
sent out with a fleet and army. After touching at Boston he 
sailed for New Amsterdam, and, anchoring before the place, 
demanded its surrender from the governor. Stuyvesant was 
for making the best defence he could, but being overruled by 
the fears of the people, who dreaded the storming and sacking 
of their city, he was induced to sign a treaty of capitulation of 
the most favourable character. Private property was respected, 
and Dutch vessels were still permitted to come to the colony 
for the purpose of trading or bringing settlers. The inhabi- 
tants retained their estates, and became incorporated with the 
new comers. »Stuyvcsant himself remained in the colony to 
the end of his life. 

Out of compliment to the patentee, New Amsterdam was 
thenceforward called New York ; and this name was extended 
to the whole province. Fort Orange was soon after surren- 
dered, and received the name of Albany. Carteret, who had 
been despatched to reduce fort Orange, effected a treaty 
with the Indians of the Five Nations, which was productive 
of lasting benefits to the colonists. Sir Robert Car received 
the surrender of the garrison on the Delaware, on the first of 
October, and the entire subjugation of New Netherlands to 
the English was thus completed. 

Colonel Nichols was the first English governor of New 
York. His government was absolute, but paternal. On the 
judicial institutions of the Dutch, he ingrafted the trial by- 
jury ; and having caused the laws to be revived, improved, 
and formed into one code, he transmitted them to England ; 
where they received the confirmation of the Duke of York. 
On the 12th of June, 1GG5, New York became an incorporated 
city. 

During Colonel Nichols's administration, (IGGfi,) a war with 



When, nnd by whom were the New 

Notheilanils ciinqucrcd ? 
Ilolate the allair. 
v. h"t was the new name of city and 

province ? 



What wns done l\v Carteret ? 
Relate the events of Governor Ni- 
chols's administration. 



ANDROs's ADMINISTRATION. 



115 



Holland having broken out, apprehensions were entertained 
of an attempt to recover New York by the Dutch. Heavy- 
taxes were laid for the purpose of defence, and the people 
complaining, Nichols nobly sacrificed his private property for 
the public service. No attack took place, however ; and at 
the peace of Breda, the colony was ceded to England in 
exchange for Surinam. 

Next year Colonel Nichols found himself compelled, by the 
sacrifices of property he had made, to resign his appointment. 
He was succeeded by Colonel Lovelace, during whose ad- 
ministration of six years, the colony was happy and prosper- 
ous. Towards the close of his term of oflice, war with 
Holland having again broken out, a small squadron was de- 
spatched to destroy the commerce of the English colonies. 
After having accomplished tliis purpose to a considerable 
extent, the commander made a sudden descent on New York, 
and Lovelace being absent, Colonel Manning, who had been 
left in command, sent down a messenger, and treacherously 
surrendered the place without the least opposition. It re- 
mained in the hands of the Dutch but a few months, being 
restored to the English again at the treaty of Westminster, 
in 1674. 

The Duke of York now took out a new patent. It em- 
powered him to govern the inhabitants by such ordinances as 
he or his assigns should establish, and to administer justice 
according to the laws of England, allowing an appeal to the 
king in council. It prohibited trade without his permission, 
and imposed the usual duties on exports and imports. Under 
the authority of this charier, the Duke of York retained the 
government of New York until his accession to the throne of 
England, as James II. He first commissioned Andros, who 
was afterwards the oppressor of New England, to be governor, 
under his authority, of all his territories, from the Connecticut 
to the Delaware. In October the Dutch resigned their au- 
thority to Andros, who forthwith entered upon the duties of 
his administration. During its continuance he exhibited much 
of that harshness, severity, and rapacity which afterwards 
rendered him so odious in the eastern colonies. In 1682, 
Colonel Thomas Dongan was appointed governor. His ad- 
ministration is memorable as the era of the commencement of 
representative government in the colony. The royal proprie- 



Of Governor Lovelace's. 
What were the terms of the new 
patent ? 



Give an account of Governor Andros's 

administration. 
Who succeeded him ? 



116 NEW YORK ACQUIRES CIVIL FREEDOM. 

tary having perceived in tlie people pretty unequivocal symp- 
toms of discontent with the arliitrary system which preVailed 
in Andros's lime, and being solicited by the council, court of 
assizes, and corporation, consented to grant New York the 
same form of government which hitherto was enjoyed in the 
colonies, and accordingly transferred the legislative power to 
an assembly of the representatives of the people. The as- 
sembly was to -consist of a council of ten members, and a 
house of representatives chosen by the people, composed of 
eighteen members ; but its laws were to be ratified by the 
proprietary before they could take effect. This free constitu- 
tion was received by the people at the very period when the 
colonists of New England were deprived of their charters. 
As an admission of the principle of representative government 
it was important; hut the people, having gained tlieir point, 
seem to have setiled down into that happy and contented 
state, which required very little attention either to the fram- 
ing or executing of laws, since ihey only had two sessions 
of the legislature for the next six years. 

Although we are not fond of statistical details, we cannot 
refrain from presenting an extract from Graham's history, 
exhibiting the condition of the province at this period. It is 
particularly interesting when we contrast tliese small begin- 
nings with the present extent and resources of that powerful 
state, 

' The city of New York, in 1C78, appears to have con- 
tained three thousand four hundred and thirty inhabitants, 
and to have owned no larger navy than tliree ships, eight 
sloops, and seven boats. No account appears to have been 
collected of the population of the whole province, wliich con- 
tained twenty-four towns, villages, or parishes. About fifteen 
vessels, on an average, traded yearly to the port of New York, 
importing English -manufactures to the value £50,000, and 
exporting the productions of the colony, which consisted of 
land produce of all sorts, among which are particularised beef, 
pease, lumber, tobacco, peltry, procured from the Indians, and 
sixty thousand bushels of wheat. Of servants the number 
was small, and they were much wanted. Some unfrequent 
and inron!-iderable importations of slaves were made from 
IJarbadoes ; and there were yet but very few of these unfortu- 
nate beings in the colony. Agriculture was more generally 
followed than trade. A trader worth .ClOOO, or even iC500, 



Wlnt rcmarkal)Ii> change in the form 

of govcriimrnt now took place? 
What is said of the people ? 



What arcount is given of the condi- 
tion of New York at this peiiod ? 
Its commeice ? 



THE FIVE NATIONS. 117 

was considered, a substantial merchant ; and a planter worth 
half that sum in moveables was accounted rich. All the 
estates in the province were valued at a6l 50,000. "Minis- 
ters," says Andros, " are scarce, and religions many." The 
duke maintained a chaplain at New York ; which was the 
only certain endowment of the church of England. There 
were about twenty churches or meeting places, of which 
half were vacant. All districts were liable by law to the 
obligation of building churches and providing for ministers, 
whose emoluments varied from £40 to £70 a year, with the 
addition of a house and garden. But the Presbyterians and 
Independents, who formed the most numerous and substantial 
portion of the inhabitants, were the only classes who showed 
much willingness to procure and support tlieir ministers. 
Marriages were allowed to be solemnised either by ministers 
or by justices of the peace. There were no beggars in the 
province : and the poor, who were few, were well taken care 
of. The number of the militia amounted to two thousand, 
comprehending one hundred and forty horsemen: and a 
standing company of soldiers was maintained, with gunners 
and other officers for the forts of Albany and New York. 
Such was the condition of the province about fo'.ir years pre- 
ceding the period at which we have now arrived. Four years 
after, (in 1686,) it was found to have improved so rapidly, 
that the shipping of New York amounted to ten three masted 
vessels, twenty sloops, and a few ketches of intermediate 
bulk. The militia had also increased to four thousand foot, 
three hundred horse, and a company of dragoons. The aug- 
mentation of inhabitants, indicated by this increase of military 
force, appears the more considerable, when we keep in view, 
that some time prior to this last mentioned period, the Dela- 
ware territory had been partly surrendered to Lord Baltimore, 
and partly assigned to William Penn.' 

The administration of Colonel Dongan was chiefly distin- 
guished by the attention which he bestowed on Indian afTairs. 
The confederacy of the Five Nations had long existed in the 
neighbourhood of the colony, and, by a system of wise and 
politic measures, had succeeded in acquiring a degree of 
power and importance never attained by any other associa- 
tion of the North American tribes. They had adopted, 
among other practices, that of incorporating numbers of their 
conquered enemies among themselves ; and the consequence 



What is said of Colonel Dongan's ad- I Of the Five Nations ? 
ministration ? 



118 TREATY WITH THE 1 IVE NATIONS. 

was the acquisition of many hardy warriors, and even distin- 
guished sachems and chiefs. When, subsequently to the 
period of which we are now writing, the Tuscarora tribe 
was vanquished by the South Carolina troops, it was adopted 
entire, and thus gave to the confederacy ihe name of the Six 
Nations. 

Before the arrival of Champlain in Canada, they had driven 
the Adirondacs to a position near Quebec ; but the aid ren- 
dered by that adventurer, and the use of fire-arms in several 
battles, turned the tide of war, and compelled the Five Na- 
tions to retreat into their own country in the greatest distress. 
The arrival of the Dutch in the Hudson river, at this critical 
juncture, affording them a supply of the fire-arms to which 
their enemies had been indebted for success, they revived the 
war with such impetuosity and determination, that the nation 
of the Adirondacs was completely annihilated. Hence ori- 
ginated the hatred entertained by the confederacy against the 
French, and their grateful attachment to the people of New 
York. 

In 1665, a party of French, under Courcelles, the governor 
of Canada, marching into their country, lost their way, and 
arrived in tie greatest distress at Schenectady, where Cor- 
laer, a DiiU-lunan of -ome consideration, had founded a village. 
This man, by a simple artifice, saved them from the ven- 
geance of the Indians, who were at that village in sufficient 
force to have destroyed their invaders. He gave them re- 
freshments, and sent them away. This circumstance was 
gratefidly remembered by Courcelles; and, in 1667, a treaty 
of peace was signed between the Five Nations and the French, 
which lasted till the beginning of Colonel Dongan's adminis- 
tration. 

Meantime the French had advanced their settlements along 
the St. Lawrence, and in 1672 built Fort Frontignac on its 
north-west bank, near Lake Ontario ; and the Jesuits were 
conciliating the nciglibouring Indians, and converting many 
of them to the Catliulic religion. 

C'olonel Dongan, perceiving the danger of these encroach- 
ments to the interests of the colonies, entered, in conjunction 
with Lord Efllngham, governor of Virginia, into a definitive 
treaty witli the Five Nations, emiiracing all the English set- 
tlements and all the tribes in alliance willi them. Tiiis treaty 
took place in 1681. It was long and inviolably adhered to. 



What occasioned their attaclimcnt to I Whit happened in 1G65 ? 
the people of New York .' | What was done by the French ? 



DE LA BARRK S INVASION. 



119 




Treaty with the Five Nations. 

In the same year, De la Barre, the governor of Canada, in- 
vaded the country of the Five Nations ; but his army was so 
reduced by famine and sickness, that he was compelled to 
sue for peace, and return in disgjrace. His successor, De 
Nouville, led a larjjer army into the territory, and met with 
no better success, bein^ defeated witli a heavy loss. 

By the death of Charles II, in 1685, the Duke of York 
succeeded to the throne of England, The people of New 
York now solicited a new constitution, which he had pre- 
viously promised them, but were coldly refused. At the 
same time additional taxes were imposed ; and the existence 
of a printing press in the colony was strictly forbidden. An- 
other measure of James II, which was highly injurious to 
the interests of the colony, was a treaty of neutrality with 
France, by which it was stipulated that neither party should 
give assistance to the Indian tribes in their wars with each 
other. This did not prevent the French from exciting hos- 
tilities between their Indian allies and the Five Nations, but 
compelled the English to refrain from assisting these their 
ancient friends. 

In 1688, Andros was appointed governor of New York 
and New England. The appointment of this tyrant, and the 
annexation of the colony to the neighbouring ones, were 
measures particularly odious to the people. Andros re- 
mained at Boston, and appointed Nicholson his lieutenant- 
governor. During his administration, the Five Nations, 
being at war with the French, made a sudden descent on 



Give an account of the invasions of 
De la Barre and De Nouville. 

What happened on the accession of 
James II ? 



Who was made governor in 1688 r" 
What was the character of his admi- 
nistration ? 



120 



LEISLER S GOVERNMENT. 



Montreal, burned and sacked the town, killed one thousand 
of the inhabitants, carried away a number of prisoners, whom 
they burned alive, and then returned to their own country, 
with the loss of only three of their number. Had the Eng- 
lish followed up this success of their allies, all Canada might 
have been easily conquered. 

Meantime the discontent of the people had risen to an 
alarming height, and on receiving intelligence of the acces- 
sion of William and Mary, and of the successful insurrection 
at Boston, which had terminated the government of Andros, 
they resolved to imitate the example, and efi'ect a revolution. 

Jacob Leisler, a man of eager, headlong temper, and nar- 
row capacity, was selected for a leader. He had already 
resisted the payment of customs on some goods which he 
had imported, and alleged that there was no legitimate go- 
vernment in the colony. Raising a report that hostile opera- 
tions were about to be commenced by the government, he 
took a detachment of trained bands, and, seizing the fort, de- 
clared his determination to hold it until the decision of the 
new sovereigns should be known. 

He then despatched a messenger to King William, and, 
by negotiations with Massachusetts and Connecticut, suc- 
ceeded in interesting the governments of these colonies on 
his side. A report at the same time being spread that an 
English fleet was approaching to assist the insurgents, all 
classes in New York immediately joined themselves to Leis- 
ler's party ; and Nicholson, afraid of sharing the fate of the 
imprisoned Andros, fled to England. 

Soon after Leisler's elevation to power, a letter came from 
the British ministry, directed ' to such as, for the time, take 
care for administering the laws of the province,' and giving 
aulliority to perform the duties of lieutenant-governor. Leis- 
ler regarded this letter as addressed to himself, and accord- 
ingly assumed the oflice, issued commissions, and appointed 
his own executive council. 

A few of Nicholson's adherents, Courtlandt, the mayor of 
the city, (Joloncl Bayard, Major Scluiyler, and a number of 
other gentlemen, jealous of the elevation of a man of inferior 
rank to tiie supreme command, retired to Albany, and, seiz- 
ing the fort there, declared that they held it for King Wil- 



Wliat ended it i" 

AVho now usurped tlic government 

of New York ? 
Relate the circumstances of his usurp- 

atiou. 



What circumstance fCJ've a temporary 
sanction to liis proceedings ? 

Who retired to Albany and re- 
nounced Leisler ? 



BURXING or SCHENECTADY. 121 

liam, and would have no connection with Leisler. Mil- 
bourne, the son-in-law of Leisler, was despatched to Albany 
to dislodge them; and an irruption of French and Indians 
happening at the same time, they gave up the fort, and re- 
tired to the neighbouring colonies. Leisler, to revenge him-, 
self for their defection, confiscated their estates. 

A convention was now called, consisting of deputies from all 
the towns and districts, who proceeded to enact various regu- 
lations for the temporary government of the colony. The 
proceedings of Leisler were of so arbitrary a character, how- 
ever, that a strong party was formed in opposition to him, and 
every measure of his government was questioned with deter- 
mined hostility. It was fortunate that the Dutch inhabitants 
were divided between these two parties, so that national 
antipathy was not superadded to party discord. 

Such was the state of affairs in New York, when the 
miseries of foreign war and hostile invasion were added to 
the calamity of internal dissension. The condition of the 
French in Canada had been suddenly changed from the depth 
of distress and danger to comparative security, by the arrival 
of a strong reinforcement from the parent state, under the 
command of a skilful and active general, the old Count de 
Frontignac, who now became governor, and speedily retrieved 
the affairs of his countrymen. He first succeeded in obtain- 
ing a treaty of neutrality from the Five Nations ; and, war 
having been declared between France and England, he col- 
lected a body of French and Indians, and despatched them 
in the depth of winter against New York. This party 
having wandered for twenty-two days through deserts, ren- 
dered trackless by the snow, approached the village of Sche- 
nectady in so exhausted a state, that they had determined to 
surrender themselves as prisoners of war. But arriving at a 
late hour on a stormy night, and finding, by means of their 
spies, that the inhabitants were asleep, without a guard, they 
suddenly resolved to refuse the mercy which they had been 
just on the point of imploring, and dividing themselves into 
several parties, they set fire to the village in various places, 
and attacked the inhabitants as they fled from the flames. 
Men, women, and children, shared the same fate. Sixty 
persons were massacred, and twenty-seven carried into cap- 
tivity. Of the fugitives who escaped, half clad, and made 



How were they disposed of ? 
What was done bj' the convention ? 
By Leisler ? 
By his opponents ? 



What new misfortune befell the co- 
lony ? 

Relate the circumstances of the burn- 
ing of Schenectady 
11 



122 



FALL OF LKISLER, 



their way through a storm of snow to Albany, twrnty-five 
lost their liiiihs by the intensity ot' the frost. 'J'he French, 
having doslroved the vilhige, retired, laden widi plunder. 

This atrocious proceeding roused the indignation of all the 
colonies. Extensive preparations were immediately com- 
menced, in New York and New England, for a general in- 
vasion of Canada. An expedition against Quebec, under Sir 
William Phipps, sailed from Boston; and the united forces of 
Connecticut and New York, under the command of General 
"Winthrop were to march against Montreal. But Leisler's 
son-in-law, Milbourne, who acted as commissary-general, 
having failed to furnish supplies, and the Indians not bringing 
the requisite number of canoes, for crossing the rivers and 
lakes, the general was obliged to order a retreat. The expe- 
dition against Quebec was equally unsuccessful. 

Leisler, transported with rage when he was informed of the 
retreat, caused Wintlirop to Ik? arrested, but was instantly 
compelled, by the indignation of all parties, to release him. 
This man was intoxicated with his elevation, and began to 
betray his utter incapacity for the supreme controul of a 
colony. Tlic government of Connecticut, incensed at the 
affront to one of their ablest officers, warned him that his 
state needed prudence; and that he had urgent occasion for 
friends. 

King William received tlie messenger, who had been sent 
to him by Leisler, very graciously, and admitted him to the 
honour of kissing his hand, as a testimony of lits approbation 
of the proceedings at New York. But Nicholson, arriving 
in England, found means to prejudice the royal mind against 
the insurgents both of Boston and New York. The king 
returned tiianks to the people of New York, for their fidelity ; 
but, without recognising the governor of their choice, he 
committed tlie administration of the province to Colonel 
Sloughter, in 1G89, who did not arrive in the province, how- 
ever, till 1C91. 

The new governor, on his arrival, summoned Leisler to 
deliver up tlie fort. Unwilling to relinquish the power which 
Jie had so long held, he replied that he would not give it up, 
but to an order under the king's own hand. Finding, how- 
ever, that parties were strong against hiin, he abandoned his 
desperate design of defending the fort; and, on surrendering 



How did the colonists prepare to re- 

vrngc this massacre .' 
How was the dcsij^jn fnistratctl ? 
What was done by Leisler > 



Uv tlie gnvornment of Connecticut ? 
fly Kmg William ? 
Whom did he appoint to be govemoi 
of New York .' 



EXECUTIOX OF LEISLER. 



123 



it, he was instantly denounced as a rebel, and cast into prison, 
with Milbourne, and others oi' his adherents, on a charge of 
high treason. 

81oughtet then called an assembly who voted an address, 
censuring the conduct of I>eisler, and passed an act annulling 
the regulations whicli had been in force during his adminis- 
tration. 'I'hey also passed a law declaring the assembling of 
a representative body to be an inherent right of the people, 
and that all the oilier liberties of Englishmen belonged of 
right to tlie colonists. This act was afterwards annulled by 
King William. 

Leisler and Milbourne were now brought to trial; and, 
after vainly pleading their loyalty and public services, were 
convicted of treason, and sentenced to death. The governor 
still hesitated to destroy the two persons, who, of all the in- 
habitants, had been tlic first to declare themselves in favour 
of his sovereign. Their enemies resorted to a most unjusti- 
fiable stratagem. They prepared a sumptuoiis feast, to which 
Colonel Sloughter was invited ; and when his reason was 
drowned in wine, the entreaties of the company prevailed 
with him to sign the death-warrant; and, before he recovered 
from his intoxication, the prisoners were executed. 

The best act of Slouffhler's administration was the execu- 
cution of a new treaty, offensive and defensive, with the Five 
Nations. On his return from the conference with their de- 
puties he suddenly died, lie was a man of profligate cha- 
racter, and mean abilities. 

At the close of the year 169-1, Major Schuyler, who had 
acquired, by his courage and courtesy, an extraordinary de- 
gree of influence over the Indians of the Five Nations, un- 
dertook an expedition against Montreal, at the head of a con- 
siderable body of colonial and Indian forces. Though the 
invaders were compelled to retreat, the Frenc]» suffered heavy 
losses, in several encounters, and the spirit and animosity of 
the Five Nations was excited to such a pitch that when their 
allies retired, they continued to wage incessant and harassing 
liostihties with the French through the whole winter. Count 
Frontignac succeeded in capturing two of their warriors, of 
the Mohawk nation, whom he condemned to die by torture. 



Give Tin account of the fait of Leis- 
ler. 

Wh.it was done liv the nsspmhlr ? 

Relate the ciicumsl '.tices of the death 
of Lc'isiei- and iVIilbouvne. 

What was Sloiislitei's character ? 



What was the best act of Sloughtei's 

administration ? 
Whit ended it ? 
Wh.it was his character ? 
W'liiit was done in 1691 ? 
Wiiat was done by Frontignac ? 



124 



HEROISM OF A MOHAWK. 



One of them despatched himself with a knife, which some 
Frenchman threw into the prison ; but the other, disdaining 
such pusillanimity, walked boldly to the stake, singing, in his 
death chaunt, that he was a Mohawk warrior, and that all the 
power of man could not extort an indecent expression of 
suficring from his lips ; and that it was ample consolation to 
him to reilect that he had made many a Frenchman suffer the 
same pangs that he must now himself undergo. When at- 
tached to the stake he looked round on his executioners, their 
instruments of torture, and the assembled multitude of spec- 
tators, with the composure of heroic fortitude, and after en- 
during for some hours, a series of barbarities too atrocious to 
be recited, his sufferings were terminated by the intercession 
of a French lady, who prevailed with the governor to order 
that mortal blow to which human cruelty has given the name 
of coup dc grace, or stroke of favour. 

Colonel Fletcher was the next governor of New York. He 
arrived in 1G92. He was an able soldier, but avaricious and 
passionate. The king, who had refused to grant a charter lo 
New York, was anxious lo encroach on the privileges of Con- 
necticut, by placing the militia of that colony under the cou- 
troul of Fletcher. To effect this object, Fletcher sent a com- 
mission to Governor Trent, of Connecticut, who was already 
commander of the colonial force by virtue of his office. The 
acceptance of a commission, from the governor of New York, 
would have made him subject to his orders. It was of course 
refused. Incensed at such contumacy, Fletcher proceeded, 
with his usual impetuosity, lo Hartford, and commanded the 
assembly of the colony, who were then in session, to place 
their militia under his orders, as they would answer it to tfie 
king. He even threatened to issue a proclamation calling on 
all who were for the king to join him, and denouncing all 
others as traitors. Finding his menaces disregarded, he pre- 
sented himself with one of his council. Colonel Bayard, to 
the militia, at their parade, and commanded Bayard to read 
his commission from the king aloud. But Captain Wads- 
worth, a tried patriot, stepped forward, and commanded the 
drums to beat, so that the reader could not be heard. When 
Fletcher attempted to interpose, Wadsworth supported his 
orders with such determination, that his antagonist was com- 
pelled lo give up the point, and make a hasty retreat to his 



Give an account of the deatli of tlic 

Mohawk warrior. 
Who was the next governor of New 

York f 



What was his character? 
Give an account of his adventure ia 
Connecticut. 



FLETCHER AND WADSWORTH. 



125 




Affair of Fletcher and Wadssvorth. 

own jurisdiction. The king ordered the matter to be sub- 
mitted to the attorney and solicitor general of England, who 
decided in favour of Connecticut. 

It was fortunate for New York tliat Fletcher made use of 
the prudent counsels of Colonel Schuyler, in his intercourse 
with the Indians. His promptitude, skill, and intelligence, 
were of essential service, in preserving the attaclnnent of the 
Five Nations, during an expedition against the French, in 
which they were assisted by the New York militia, in 1693. 

Fletcher laboured hard witli the assembly to render Epis- 
copacy the established religion of the colony. The Dutch, 
and other Presbyterians, naturally opposed him in this design. 
He at length succeeded in carrying a bill through the assembly 
of representatives, for settling ministers in the several parishes. 
But when the council added the clause, which gave the people 
the privilege of electing their own ministers, and a proviso, 
that the governor should exercise the episcopal power of ap- 
proving and collating the incumbents, this amendment was 
direcdy negatived by the assembly. The governor, exas- 
perated at their obstinacy, called the house before him, and 
prorogued their silting with a passionate harangue. ' You 
lake upon you,' said he, ' as if you were dictators. I sent 
down to you an amendment of but three or four words in 
that bill, which, though very immaterial, yet was positively 
denied. I must tell you, it seems very unmannerly. It is 
the sign of a stubborn, ill temper. You ought to consider 
that you have but a third share in the legislative power of the 
government; and ought not to take all upon you, nor be so 
peremptory. You ought to let the council have a share. 



Who was Fletcher's adviser ? 
How was he serviceable ? 



What was done in relation to eccle- 
siastical afFaiis ? 



IV 



126 



CAPTAIN KIDD. 



They are in the nature of the house of lords, or upper house ; 
but you seem to take the Avhole power in your hands, and 
set up for every thing. You have sat a long time to little 
purpose, and have been a great charge to the country. 'J'en 
shillings a day is a large allowance, and you punctually exact 
it. You have been always forward enough to pull down the 
fees of other ministers in the government. Why did not you 
think it expedient to correct your own to a more moderate 
allowance ?' The members of assembly endured his rude- 
ness with invincible patience ; but they also obstructed his 
pretensions with immovable resolution. 

Having no better success in his subsequent attempts to 
overawe the assembly, he at length gave up the point, and 
maintained a good correspondence with that body, during the 
remainder of his administration. 

The peace of Ryswick, wiiich took place in 1697, gave 
repose to the colonics, but left the Five Nations exposed to 
the hostilities of the French. Count Frontignac prepared to 
direct his whole force against them ; and was only prevented 
from executing his purpose by Ihe energy and decision of the 
Earl of Bellamont, who had now succeeded Fletcher in the 
government of the colony. He not only supplied the Five 
Nations with ammunition and military stores, but notified 
Count Frontignac, that, if the French should presume to 
attack them, he would march the wliole disposable force of 
the province to their aid. This threat was effectual, and a 
peace between the French and the Five Nations was soon 
afterwards concluded. 

Piracy had increased to an alarming extent on the Ameri- 
can siiores, during the administration of Fletcher; and he 
was even suspected of having encouraged it. JiOrd Bella- 
mont was instructed to put an end to this evil ; and, consult- 
ing with his friends on the best means of accomplishing tliis 
desirable end, he was advised to employ one Kidd, who was 
represented to him as a man of honour and integrity, and 
well acquainted with tlTe persons and haunts of the pirates. 
Kidd was accordingly engaged to undertake the oflice, as the 
agent of a company, of which the king, the lord chancellor, 
and some other noblemen, were members. He received an 
ordinary commission, as a privateer, witii directions to pro- 
ceed against the pirates, and hold himself responsible to Lord 



What was the effect of the peace of 
Hyswick ? 

What was done by the Eail of Bella- 
mont i" 



What is said of piracy ? 

Who was employed to suppress it f 

In what capacity > 



LORD CORNBURY. 



127 



Bellamont. But instead of attacking the pirates, he turned 
pirate himself, and became the most infamous and formidable 
of them all. After continuing his depredations for three 
years, he had the audacity to appear publicly in Boston. He 
was seized, and sent to England, where he was tried and 
executed. The noblemen who had procured his commission, 
were charged with participating in his crimes and profits ; 
but no exertions of their enemies could fix the imputation 
upon them, so as to gain credit with the public at large. 

The death of Leisler had not entirely extinguished the civil 
feuds to which his elevation gave rise. They had continued 
through the administration of Fletcher, and now broke forth 
with fresh violence, upon occasion of young Leisler's applica- 
tion for indemnification for the losses sustained by the family. 
Lord Bellamont favoured his claims, and was instrumental in 
procuring a grant of £1000 for his benefit. The faction, how- 
ever, was not quieted by this measure. 

Lord Bellamont's administration was terminated by his 
death, in 1701 ; and he was succeeded by Lord Cornbury, 
grandson of the great chancellor, Lord Clarendon ; but a 
most degenerate and unworthy descendant of that illustrious 
man. Parties ran high under his administration, and he was 
a violent supporter of the anti-Leislerian faction. He was 
also an over-strenuous supporter of the Church of England ; 
and did not scruple to persecute, with unrelenting hate, the 
members of all other denominations. He embezzled the 
public money, ran in debt on his own private account, and 
evaded payment by the privileges of his office. All parties 
became disgusted with his unprincipled conduct; and, for- 
getting their former animosities against each other, united in 
earnestly petitioning for his recall. h\ 1709, Queen Anne, 
the new sovereign of England, was induced to supersede his 
commission, and appoint Lord Lovelace to succeed him. 
Deprived of his ofiice, he was instantly arrested, and thrown 
into prison, by his enraged creditors, and remained there 
until the death of his father, by elevating him to the peerage, 
entitled him to his liberation. He then returned to England, 
and died in the year 1723. The brief administration of 



How did he behave ? 

What was his t'nte ? 

What is said of his employers ? 

What was done by Leisler's son ? 

How did he succeed ? 

Who succeeded Lord Bellamont ? 



Wliat was Lord Cornbury 's character ? 
Wliat were his acts ^ 
What occasioned his removal ? 
Who succeeded him ? 
What is said of Cornbury's subse- 
ruent career ? 



128 



ADMIXISTRATIONS OF HUNTER AND BURNET. 



Lord Lovelace, distinguished by no remarkable occurrciicCf 
was terminated by his sudden decease. 

General Hunter, who was appointed to succeed Lord Love- 
lace, arrived in 1610, and brought with him three thousand 
Germans, a part of whom settled in New York, and the re- 
mainder in Pennsylvania. His administration is remarkable 
only for his frequent and unsatisfactory disputes with the 
assembly, concerning the custody and disbursement of the 
public money. An unsuccessful invasion of Canada, by the 
united forces of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, 
took place in 17 II. 

William Burnet, son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet, suc- 
ceetlod to Hunter. He was well apprised of the danger to be 
apprehended from the French upon the north-western frontier, 
and soon penetrated their design of forming a line of forts 
^'om the St. liawrence to the Mississippi. He erected a fort 
at Oswego, on Lake Ontario, in hopes of defeating their 
desitrn. But the French were not thus to be foiled. Tiiey 
erected Fort Frontignac, at the outlet of Lake Ontario, and 
another at Niagara, at the entrance of tlie Niagara river into 
the lake. 'J'he remainder of his administration appears to 
have chiefly been occupied by contentions with the assembly 
concerning the court of chancery, which had become so 
odious that an act of the legislature was passed, declaring its 
proceedings void. 

Burnet, being appointed governor of Massachusetts, was 
succeeded by Colonel Montgomery. His short adniinistrntion 
was not distinguished by any remarkalile event. He died in 
17.31, and Kip Van Dam, the senior member of the council, 
became acting governor. Ho was superseded, in 1732, by 
William Cosby, having, in the mean time, permitted the 
French to erect a fortification at Crown Point, witiiin the 
boundaries of the colonies, which served as a rallying point 
fur hostile Indians. 

Cosby was at first a popular governor, but having impru- 
dently attacked the liberty of the press, he lost favour with 
the people. His successor, (^lark, was not more fortunalp, as 
he excited the hostility of the assembly l)y his arbitrary at- 
tempts to controul the public treasure. He carried matters so 



Who succeeded Lord Lovelace ? 

Wh:>t events transpired during Hunt- 
er's ndininistritiiin ? 

AVho succeeded Hunter .' 

What was done during Burnet's ad- 
minifttration .' 



Who was liis successor ? 

What is said of his administration ? 

Of Rip Van Dam? 

Of Coshv ? 

Of Clark ? 



ADMINISTRATION OF CLINTON. 



129 



far, as to charge the colonies with a design to throw off their 
dependence on the crown. 

George Clinton succeeded Clark, in 1743. He seems to 
have retained the popularity with which most of the governors 
commenced their administrations, by timely concessions to 
the people. He gave his assent to a law which limited the 
duration of the assemblies ; and succeeded in raising recruits 
and subsidies for a vigorous prosecution of the war which had 
commenced with France. Before his preparations were com- 
pleted, however, a treaty was concluded. 

In the middle of the eighteenth century the population of 
the whole colony of New York was scarcely 100,000 inhabi- 
tants — less than one-half the number now contained in the 
metropolis of that state. The Indian wars, which were al- 
most constantly raging on the frontier, were an effectual check 
to the extended settlement of the interior. 



CHAPTER XV. 



COLONISATION OF NEW JERSEY. 



We have already referred to the early settlements of the 
Swedes and Dutch, on the Delaware river. It was not until 
1640 chat any attempt was made, by the English, to colonise 
this region ; and then it was successfully resisted. Their set- 
tlement at Eisingburgh was bi-oken up by the united efforts 
of the Swedes and Dutch. The Swedes took possession of 
the place, built a fort, commanded the navigation of the river, 
and exacted duties from the ships of other nations passing on 
its waters. Tiiis lasted till their subjugation by the Dutch, 
under Peter Sluyvesant, which has already been related, '^-rj 

When New York was given to tiie Duke of York, by 
Charles II, the country between the Delaware and Hudson 
was included in the grant. It was immediately afterwards 
conveyed, by the duke, to I>ord Berkeley and Sir George 
Carteret. In compliment to Carteret, who had defended the 



Of Clinton ? 

Of New York in the middle of the 

eighteenth century ? 
Who first settled in New Jersej', on 

tiic Delaware ? 



When did the English first attempt 

to settle there ? 
What was the result ? 
Who dispossessed the Swedes ? 
Who granted New Jersey to Berkeley 

and Carteret ? 



130 FAVOURABLE COXEITIOXS OF SETTLEMENT. 

island of Jersey against the Long Parliament in the civil war, 
it was called JN'ova-Cosaria, or New Jersey. To invite set- 
tlers to the country, the proprietaries gave assurance that tlie 
province should enjoy a representative government ; fieedom 
from all taxes, except such as were imposed by the geiseral 
assembly ; and the undisturbed enjoyment of liberty of con- 
science. This last provision was undoubtedly intended for 
the benefit of the society of Friends, who had been much 
molested by the Dutch in the neighbouring colony ; and many 
of whom were already settled in New Jersey. Lands were 
also oflered, at a quit rent of a half-penny an acre, after the 
year 1670, with tlie further condition, that one able-bodied 
male servant should be maintained for every 100 acres oi' land, 
thus afiording a guarantee for the actual cultivation of the land. 
This condition was probably intended to prevent the appro- 
priation of large tracts by speculators. New provisions were 
added to this constitution, by subsequent proclamations of the 
proprietors, and the whole code was denominated, by the 
people, the Laws of the Concessions, and regarded by them 
as the great charier of their liberties. 

Philip Carteret, tlie first governor of New Jersey, purchased 
from the Indians their titles to all the lands which were occu- 
pied. This proceeding was afterwards approved by the 
j)roprielarics, who then established the rule, that all lands 
should be purchased from the Indians by the governor and 
council, who were to be reimbursed by the settlers, in pro- 
portion to their respective possessions. 

Colonel Nichols, the first English governor of New York, 
■while yet unacquainted with the duke's grant to Berkeley and 
Carteret, had granted licenses to persons to pvuchase lands of 
the Lidians, and make settlements in New Jersey ; and the 
towns of Elizabethtown, Woodbridge, and Piscataway were 
accordingly .settled. But the hopes which he had entertained 
of increasing the value of the duke's territories by this mea- 
sure, were soon dissipated by intelligence of his havincf jjarted 
with his claim to all the lands south-west of the Hudson. 
The measures which Nichols had already taken, gave rise to 
disputes between his setUers and the proprietaries, which 
disturbed the colony for more than half a century. 

Nichols endeavoured to prevail on the duke to revoke the 
grant; but this was not done, and the government was surren- 
dered to Philip Carteret, who arrived in 1G65, with thirty 

What privileges did they ofl'er to set- By Colonel Nichols ? 

tiers ' By the Duke of York ? 

What was done by Philip Carteret ? 



ANDROS. 131 

settlers, and fixed his residence at Elizabethtown, the first 
capital of the colony. Here he remained for several years, 
while the little state frew and flourished under his prudent 
administration. Its free institutions, fertile soil, and fortunate 
situation for commerce, all contributed to invite settlers, and 
advance its prosperit_v. 

In 1670, the earliest quit-rents fell due. The first demand 
of this tribute excited general disgust. A numerous party, in- 
cluding those who had settled under Nichols, refused to ac- 
knowledge the title of the proprietors, and in opposition to it 
set up titles which they had obtained from the Indians. The 
governor struggled hard to maintain the rights of the pro- 
prietaries for two years, till at length an insurrection broke 
forth, and he was compelled to return to England, abandoning 
the government ; which was immediately conferred on a sou 
of Sir George Carteret, who had favoured the popular party. 

In 1673, the Dutch recovered New Jersey, together with 
New York, but soon afterwards it was restored to the English 
by the treaty of London. After this event the Duke of York 
obtained a new charter for New York and New Jersey ; ap- 
pointed Andros governor over the whole reunited province, 
and investing all the legislative power in the governor and 
councd, established the same arbitrary government in New 
Jersey which he had all along maintained in New York. He 
promised Sir George Carteret, however, to renew his grant 
of New Jersey. But when he finally performed his promise, 
he still ordered Andros to maintain his prerogative over the 
whole territory. 

In 1675, Philip Carteret returned to New Jersey, and was 
willingly received by the inhabitants, who had become hearti- 
ly weary of the tyranny of Andros. As he postponed the 
payment of quit-rents to a future day, and published a new 
set o( co'ncessions from Sir George Carteret, peace and order 
were once more restored to the colony. The only subject of 
uneasiness arose from the arbitrary proceedings of Andros, 
who interdicted and finally destroyed their commerce, exacted 
tribute, and even arrested governor Carteret, and conveyed 
him a prisoner to New York. He was only released by the 
interposition of the Duke of York. 



\Vti^t was the first cnpital of New 
Jersey ? 

What i> said of Carteret's administra- 
tion ? 

What is said of the quit-rents ? 



Of the Dutch ? 
Of the Duke of York ? 
Of Philip Carteret ? 
How was he insulted ? 
How released .' 



132 BURLINGTON SETTLED, 

In 1674, Lord Berkeley, one of those who had received the 
grant from the Duke of York, sold his share of IVew Jersey 
to two English Quakers, named Fenwicke and Byllinge, con- 
veying it to the first of them in trust for the other. A dispute 
arising between them, ihe matter was referred to tl>e cele- 
brated William Penn, who decided in favour of Byllinge. 
Fenwicke came over with his family in 1675, and settled in 
the western part of New Jersey. 

Byllinge subsequently became embarrassed in his pecuni- 
ary affairs, and made an assignment of his claims ou New 
Jersey to William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, and Nicholas 
Lewis, who assumed the direction of the territory thus con- 
veyed. Their first care was to effect a division of the pro- 
vince between themselves a«d Sir George Carteret^ and, 
accordingly, the eastern part of the province was assigned to 
Carteret, under the name of East New Jersey ; the western 
part to Byllinge's assigns, who named their portion West 
New Jersey. The western proprietors then divided their 
territory into one hundred lots, ten of which they assigned 
to Fenwicke, and the remaining ninety they reserved to be 
sold for the benefit of Byllinge's creditors. They then gave 
the settlers a free constitution, under the title of Concessions, 
granting all the important privileges of civil and religious 
liberty. 

In 1677, upwards of four hundred Quakers, many of them 
possessed of considerable property, arrived from England, 
and settled in West New Jersey, giving their first settlement 
the name of Burlington. 

The claims of the Duke of York to jurisdiction over New 
Jersey continihcd to be urged, to the great annoj'ance of the 
inhabitants, until 1680, when, after repeated remonstrances 
to the English government, and a legal decision in their 
favour, the people finally succeeded rn procuring a formal 
recognition of their independence. 

West Jersey now rapidly filled with inhabitants, most of 
them being of the Quaker persuasion. Their first represent- 
ative assembly met in 1681. It was convoked by Samuel 
Jennings, the deputy of Edward Byllinge,-their first governor. 



To whom did Lord Berkeley sell his 

part of New Jersey ? 
What events followed j" 
To whom did Byllinge assign his 

part .' 
How was the province divided ? 
How were the parts named ? 



How was the western part divided ? 

What was granted to the settlers .' 

\Vlu'n anil bv whom was Burlington 
settled ? 

What took place in 1680 ? 

When was the first assenibly con- 
voked .' 



ANARCHY WITHOUT DISORDER. 133 

In tliis assembly was enacted a body of Fandamenfal Con- 
stitutions, which formed the future basis of their govern- 
ment. 

In 1682, William Penn, and eleven other persons of the 
society of Friends, purchased from Sir George Carteret the 
whole province of East New Jersey. Twelve other per- 
sons, of a different religious persuasion from their own, were 
then united with the purchasers, and to these twenty-four 
proprietaries the Duke of York executed his third and last 
grant of East New Jersey ; on receiving which, they pro- 
ceeded to organise a proprietary government. The first go- 
vernor was the celebrated Robert Barclay, author of the 
' Apology for the Quakers ;' who was appointed for life. 
Under his brief administration a large number of emigrants 
arrived from Scotland. Barclay died in 1690. 

On his accession to the throne, James II, utterly disregard- 
ing the engagements he had entered into as Duke of York, 
attempted to deprive New Jersey of its chartered privileges, 
and was only prevented from the execution of his purpose by 
the revolution, which deprived him of the throne in 1688. 

From that period till 1692, Chalmers asserts, that no go- 
vernment whatever existed in New Jersey ; and it is highly 
creditable to the society of Friends, whose members com- 
posed the main part of the population, that the peace of the 
country and the prosperity of its inhabitants were promoted 
during this interval by their own honesty, sobriety, and 
industry. 

The pretensions of New York to jurisdiction over New 
Jersey were revived under William and Mary, which cir- 
cumstance led to much angry discussion, until, at the com- 
mencement of the reign of Queen Anne, the proprietaries, 
wearied with continual embarrassments and disputes, surren- 
dered their powers of government to the crown. The queen 
forthwith united East and West New Jersey into one pro- 
vince, and committed the government of it, as well as of 
New York, to her kinsman. Lord Cornbury. His adminis- 
tration here, as well as in the neighbouring colony, was only 
distinguished by his arrogant attempts to overawe and dictate 
to the colonial assemblies, and their firm and resolute resist- 
ance of his assumptions of arbitrary power. 

What was done by it ? 

Who purchased East New Jersey in 

1682 ? 
Who was the first governor ? 
What was attempted by James II ? 
How was his design frustrated ? 



12 



What is said by Chalmers ? 
What is said of the Friends ? 
What was done by the proprieta- 
ries ? 
By Queen Anne ? 
By Lord Cornbury ? 



134 



NASSAU HALL FOUNDED. 



After liis recall, New York and New Jersey continued for 
many years to be ruled by the same governor, each choosing 
a separate assembly ; and it was not till 1738, that a separate 
governor for New Jersey was appointed at the instance of 
the people. Lewis Morris was the first governor under this 
new arrangement. The college of Nassau Hall, at Prince- 
ton, was founded the same year. 

After this period, no remarkable circumstance transpired in 
this province, until the middle of the eighteenth century, the 
period to which we are now bringing up the history of the 
several colonies, with a view to proceed afterwards with an 
account of their united operations in the French war of 1754. 



CHAPTER XVI, 



COLONISATION OF DELAWARE. 



Delaware was first settled in 1627. William Usselin, an 
eminent Swedish merchant, being satisfied of the advantages 
of colonising the country in the neighbo\irhood of New 
Netlierlands, gained the permission of Gustavus Adolphus, 
King of Sweden, to form a company for the purpose. Large 
sums of money were accordingly contributed, and a colony 
of Swedes and Finns sent out, who first landed at Cape 
Henlopen, the deliglitful appearance of which induced them 
to give it the name of Paradise Point. 'I'hey, soon al'ter, 
bouglit of the natives the land from tliat cape to the falls of 
the Delaware ; and scattered their settlements along the 
shores of the river. 

'J'hcir first settlement was near Wilmington, at the mouth 
of Christina creek, and they afterwards built forts at Lewis- 
town and Tinicum isle: which last was the seat of govern- 
ment of their colony of New Swedeland, or New Sweden, 
as they were pleased to call it. Here John Printz, their 
governor, built himself a spacious mansion, which he called 
Printz Hall; and supported the dignity of a colonial viceroy. 

The empire was destined, however, to a speedy termina- 
tion. The Dutchmen of New Netherlands could not bear 



How were aflUirs managed aflci liis 

recall ? 
Wli;it tuok place in 1738 ? 
When was Delaware first settled ? 



("live an account of the settlement. 
Where did the Swedes build forts ? 
Wlnit is said of Printz ? 
Of the Dutch ? 



THE LOWER COUNTIES OF THE DELAWARE. 



135 



the presence of so formidable a rival. They built a fort in 
1651 at New Caslle, in the very centre, as it were, of New 
Sweden, and, notwithstanding the protestations of Printz, 
held it till the accession of Risingh, his successor. This 
governor employed a most unworthy stratagem for displacing 
the intruders. Being on an apparently friendly visit to the 
commander of the fort, and observing the weakness of the 
garrison, he incontinently took possession of it, disarmed the 
soldiers, and made them swear allegiance to his sovereign. 
An account of this important affair, coloured to the life, may 
be found in Knickerbocker's celebrated History of New 
York. 

Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New York, in 
revenge for this insult, fitted out a grand armament, invaded 
New Sweden, and reduced the whole colony to complete 
subjection ; sending many of the inhabitants to the mother 
country, while the remainder quietly mingled with the con- 
querors, and adopted their government, laws, and manners. 

When the English conquered New Netherlands, after- 
wards culled New York, they also obtained Delaware, which 
was considered a part of that territory. In 1082, New Cas- 
tle, and the country for a compass of twelve ni!'. -^ round it, 
were purchased of the Duke of York by William Penn, who 
afterwards extended his purchase to Cape Henlopen. This 
country, called the Lower Counties of the Delaware, re- 
mained a portion of William Penn's colony of Pennsylvania 
for twenty years afterwards. 

la 1703, the Lower Counties were separated from Penn- 
sylvania ; and have since retained their independence of any 
other colony, under the name of Delaware. 

The limited extent of its territory gives this state rather a 
diminutive appearance on the map; but its soldiers have ever 
been among the bravest in defence of our liberties, and its 
statesmen have at all periods exerted a commanding influence 
in the councils of the nation. 



Of Risiiii^h ? 

Of Sj^uyvosnnt ? 

Of the inhabitants of New Sweden ? 

Of the Knglish ? 

Of William Penn ? 



Of the Lower Counties on the Dela- 
ware ? 

Of the soldiers and statesmen of De- 
laware ? 



136 



WILLIAM PENN. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



COLONISATION OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

This colony was founded by the celebrated William Penn, 
in 1681. He was the son of Sir William Penn, a British 
admiral, ^vho, under the protectorate of Cromwell, effected 
the conquest of Jamaica, for the British crown. He also 
performed important services for the Stuart family, and, after 
the Restoration, enjoyed high favour at the court. Young 
Penn was early entered as a commoner at Oxford university, 
but having imbibed a strong predilection for Quaker senti- 
ments, he espoused the cause of that sect with so much 
warmth that he, with several others, was expelled from the 
university. 

His father, wishing to divert his mind from religious sub- 
jects, sent him to travel in France, and this scheme seems to 
have been attended with partial success ; but, after his return, 
having gone to Ireland, to inspect an estate that belonged to 
his father, ho there met with the same preacher who had first 
attracted his aliention to the principles of Quakerism, ten 
years before, and tlie consequence was a new and determined 
adoption of his former belief. His father, disappointed in 
his hopes of worldly advancement for his son, abandoned him 
to his own course. 

He then commenced preacher, and gained many proselytes. 
Though often imprisoned, and constantly persecuted, he still 
persevered ; and such was liis sincerity, zeal, and patience, 
that his father finally became reconciled to him. In 1670, he 
was tried at the Old Bailey, for preaching in the street, and 
pleaded his own case with such firmness and resolution, that 
he was honourably acquitted. 

On the death of his father he became heir to a handsome 
estate, but he continued to preach, write, and suffer persecu- 
tion as before. 

The attention of Penn was attracted to colonisation, by the 
interest which he took in the affairs of New Jersey. Learn- 
ing that a large tract of land, lying between the possessions 



When was Pennsylvania founded ? 

What is said nf Admiral Penn ? 

or William Penn > 

AVliat transpired in France ? 

In Ireland ? 



What is said of his father ? 
Of his career as a preacher ? 
Of his trial ? 

How was Penn's attention first direct- 
ed to colonisation ? 



CHARTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



137 



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BR^f^ 


■» 


1 




M 


^^^H 






^B 


"^m^ 


^ms 


F^Jh^ 






■ 


K 


^3 








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^E 


!vl 


5T-^^^i 





Penn laying out the plan of Philadelphia. 

of the Duke of York, and those of Lord Baltimore, was still 
unoccupied, he formed the noble design of founding there a 
new state, in which the liberal ideas he had formed of civil 
and religious liberty should be fully realised. He accordingly 
presented a petition to Charles II, urging his claim for a debt 
incurred by the crown to his father, and soliciting a grant of 
the land on which he desired to settle. A charter was readily 
granted by the king. 

This charter constituted William Penn and liis heirs true 
and absolute proprietaries of the province of Pennsylvania, 
saving to the crown their allegiance, and the sovereignty. It 
gave him and his heirs, and iheir deputies, power to make 
laws, with the advice of the freemen, and to erect courts of 
jusuce, for the execution of those laws, provided tliey should 
not be repugnant to the laws of England. 

Penn now invited purchasers ; and a large number, chiefly 
of his own persuasion, prepared to emigrate, ^ome merclianis 
forming a company, purchased 20,000 acres of land at the rate 
of twenty pounds for every thousand acres. In May, 1681, 
lie despatched Markham, his relative, with a company of emi- 
grants, to take possession of the territory. He at the same 
lime despatched a letter to the Indians, assuring them of his 
just and friendly intentions with respect to tliemselves. 

In the following April, Penn published ' the frame of go- 
vernment for Pennsylvania,' and, in May, a body of laws 
v.'hich had been agreed upon by himself, and the adventurers 
in England, which was intended as a great charter, and which, 



How dill he obtain his charter ? 
What were iti terms ? 
Who purchased lands ? 
Who emitciated ? 



Wlien ? 

To whom did Penn write a letter ? 
What did he publish in April, 1(J81 ? 
What is said of these laws ? 



12« 



^^ 



138 penn's treaty with the Indians. 

says Chalmers, 'does great honour to their wisdom as states- 
men, to their morals as men, to their spirit as colonists.' 

To prevent future claims to the province by the Duke of 
York, or his heirs, Penn obtained from him liis deed of re- 
lease for it; and, as an additional grant, he procured from him 
also, his riglit and intbrest in that tract of land, which was at 
first called the ' Territories of Pennsylvania,' and afterwards, 
the ' Three Lower Counties on Delaware.' Tiiis constitutes, 
as we have already remarked, the present state of Delaware. 

Penn, having con^pleted these arrangements, embarked, in 
August, for America, accompanied by a large number of emi- 
grants, chiefly of his own religious persuasion. He landed 
at New Castle, on the 24th of October. The next day the 
people were summoned to the court house ; possession of 
the country was legally given to the proprietary ; and the 
people were acquainted by him with the design of his coming, 
and the nature of the government which he came to establish. 

He then proceeded to Upland, now called Chester, and there 
called an assembly on the 4lh of December. This assembly 
passed an act of union, annexing the Three liOwer Counties 
to the province, and an act of settlement in reference to the 
frame of government. The foreigners, residing in the pro- 
vince, were naturalised, and the laws, agreed on in England, 
were passed in form. Penn then selected the site of an ex- 
tensive city, to which he gave the name of Philadelphia, and 
laid out the plan on which it should be built. Before the end 
of the year it contained eighty dwellings. 

Penn's next step was to enter into a treaty with the Indian 
tribes in his neiglibourhood. Regarding them as the rightful 
possessors of the soil, he fairly purchased from them their 
lands, giving in exchange valuable European goods and com- 
modities, such as were useful to them. This treaty, executed 
without the formality of an oath, was inviolably preserved for 
a period of seventy years. 

Within a year, between twenty and thirty vessels, with 
passengers, arrived in the province. The banks of the Dela- 
ware were rapidly setUed, from the falls of Trenton, to Ches- 
ter. The emigrants were chiefly Quakers from England, 
Wales, and Ireland. A party from Germany settled in and 



Wlnt <li(l Penn obtain from the Duke 

of Voik ^ 
When did he embark for America ? 
^Vhpl■p did he land ? 
What was done next day ? 
What was done at Chester ? 



Of what city did he tlicn lay out the 

pl;in ^ 
With whom did he make a treaty ? 
What is said of it !> 
What settlers arrived ? 
Where did they establish themselves ? 



PENNSYLVANIA UNDER WILLIAM AND MARY. 



139 



near Germantown, in 1682. On landing, they set about pro- 
curing shelter. Some lodged in the woods under trees, some 
in caves which were easily dug on the high banks of the 
Wissahiccon and the Delaware, and others in hastily built 
huts. They were abundantly supplied with wood, water, and 
fertile land ; and they brought with them tbe implements for 
building and husbandry. They soon formed plantations of 
Indian corn and wheat. The forests furnished deer, wild 
turkeys, and pigeons ; and the rivers abounded with fish. 
The settlers endured some hardships, it is true, but they were 
in a rich country, and their knowledge of its resources, and 
of the free institutions which they were to transmit to their 
posterity, enabled them to conquer all difiicullies. 

A second assembly was held at Philadelphia, in March, 
1683. During this session, Penn created a second frame of 
government, differing in some points from the former, to 
which the assembly readily granted assent. They also enact- 
ed a variety of salutary regulations, by which the growing 
prosperity of the province was promoted, and its peace and 
order preserved. Within four years from the date of the 
grant to Penn, the province contained twenty settlements, and 
Philadelphia 2,000 inhabitants. 

Having received information from his agent that his pre- 
sence was required in England, Penn departed from America 
in August, 1684, leaving the province under the government 
of five commissioners, chosen from the provincial council. 
Soon after his return, James II ascended the throne. Penn's 
attachment to the Stuart family, induced him to adhere to 
this unfortunate monarch till long after his fall ; and for two 
years after the revolution which placed William and Mary on 
the throne, the province was administered in the name of 
James. This could not fail to draw down the indignation of 
King William on the devoted head of the proprietary, who 
suffered much persecution for his unflinching loyalty. He 
was four times imprisoned. The king took the government 
of Pennsylvania into his own hands; and appointed Colonel 
Fletcher to administer the government of this province, as 
well as that of New York. It, at length, became apparent to 
the king, that Penn's attachment to the Stuarts was merely 
personal, and not attended with any treasonable designs ; and 
he was restored to favour. Being permitted to resume and 



Describe their operations. 
What was done in 1683 ? 
What is said of the increase of the 
colony ? 



When did Penn return to England > 
To what family was Penn attached ? 
What was the consequence ? 
How did he recover his rights ? 



140 NEW CHARTERS GRANTED. 

exercise his rights, he appointed William Markham to be his 
deputy governor. 

In 169G, the assembly complained to Governor Markham 
of a breach of their chartered privileges ; and, in consequence 
of their remonstrance, a bill of soltlcment, prepared and passed 
by the assembly, was approved by the governor, forming the 
third frame of government of Pennsylvania. 

In 1G99, Penn again visited his colony, accompanied by 
his family, with the design of spending tlie remainder of his 
life among his people. lie was disappointed, hov/ever, by 
finding the colonists dissatisfied with the existing state of 
things. Negro slavery, and the intercourse with the Indian 
tribes, those prolific sources of disquiet in all periods of our 
liistory, were the subjects of mucli unpleasant altercation be- 
tween the proprietary and the colonists. Certain laws, which 
lie prepared for regulating these affairs, were rejected by the 
assembly. His exertions, in recommending a liberal system 
to his own sect, were attended with better success, and the 
final abolition of slavery, in Pennt^ylvania, was ultimately 
owing to their powerful influence. 

Penn soon determined to return to England, and he naturally 
desired to have some frame of government firmly established 
before his departure. In 1701, he prepared one which was 
readily accepted by tlie assembly. It gave them the right of 
originating laws, which had previously been vested in the 
governor: it allowed to th.e governor a ne<iative on bills 
passed by the assembly, together wiih the right of appointing 
his own council, and of exercising the whole executive power. 
'J'his new charter the Three Lower Counties refused to ac- 
cept ; and they were consequently separated from Penn- 
sylvania ; electing an assembly of their own, but acknowledg- 
ing the same governor. 

Iminediately after the acceptance of his fourth charter, Penn 
returned to England. Here he was harassed by complaints 
against the adminifitration of his deputy governor, Evans, 
whom be finally displaced, appointiiisj Ciiarles Gookin in his 
place. Finding tlie discontents were still not allayed, Perm, 
now in his sixty-sixth year, addres^ied the assembly for the 
last time, in a letter, which marks the mild dignity and wis- 
dom of his character and the aireclionate concern which he 



What was done in 1696 ' 
In 1693 f 

Describe the form of (government 
adopted in 1701. 



Wlint is sniil of tlie Lower Coun- 
ties f 
When dill Penn return to England? 
Wliat followed > 



FRANKLIN S MISSION TO LONDON. 



141 



felt for the future welfare of the province. This letter is said 
to have produced a powerful effect ; but before this could be 
known to the illustrious founder, he had been seized with the 
disease wliicli terminated his active and useful life. By the 
universal consent of historians and statesmen, Penn has been 
placed in the very highest rank among the benefactors and 
moral reformers of mankind. The influence of his character 
has never ceased to be felt in the institutions of the state 
which he founded ; and his memory will be cherished by a 
grateful people to the remotest ages. 

The legislatures and governors of Pennsylvania, acting on 
the principles of their founder, acquired by equitable pur- 
chases from the Indians, a most extensive and unembarrassed 
territory, which was rapidly filled with settlers. The only 
subject of disquiet in the colony, for many years, was a dis- 
pute between the governors and assembly, on the question of 
exempting lands of the proprietary from general taxation, a 
claim which the people resisted as unjust. After many dis- 
putes on this subject, the assembly deputed the celebrated 
Benjamin Franklin, as an agent to London, to petition the 
king for redress. The subject was brought before the privy 
council, and finally adjusted by a compromise ; Franklin, as 
agent, entering into engagements that the taxes should be 
assessed in a fair and equitable manner; and the governor 
assenting to the bill for levying them. 

After the commencement of the revolutionary war, a new 
constitution was adopted by the people, which excluded the 
proprietary from all share in the government. His claim to 
quit-rents was afterwards purchased for 570,000 dollars. 

Pennsylvania, which, excepting. Georgia, was the last of 
the colonies settled, had a more rapid increase than any of 
her competitors, in wealth and population. In 1775, she 
possessed a population of 372,208 inhabitants, collected and 
raised in less than a century. 



What is said of his last letter, and its 

effect ? 
When did he die ? 
What was his character ? 
How did the legislatures and govern- 



ors of Pennsylvania extend their 

territories ? 
What was a subject of dispute ? 
How was the matter adjusted ? 
What is said of the increase of the 

colony ? 



142 



heath's patent. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



COLONISATION OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



The unsuccessful attempts of the French, under Admiral 
Coligny, to form [)ermanent settlements on the coast of Caro- 
lina, have already been noticed. Those which were made 
under Elizabeth, by Raleigh and Gilbert, have been comprised 
in the history of Virginia, of which colony Carolina was then 
considered a part. But for the removal of the settlers into 
Virginia, Carolina would have been the first permanent Eng- 
lish colony in America. 

It was not till the year 1630, that Sir Robert Heath, at- 
torney general of Charles I, obtained a patent for the region 
south of Virginia, bounded north by the 3Gth degree of north 
latitude, and extending to Louisiana, This immense territory 
Avas named Carolina. Heath's patent led to no settlements, 
however, and was consequently declared void. 

Between the years 1610 and 16.50, a considerable number 
of persons, sufiering from religious intolerance in Virginia, 
fled beyond her limits ; and, without a grant from any quarter, 
settled that portion of North Carolina which lies north of 
Albemarle Sound. They found a mild climate, and a fertile 
soil ; and, as their cattle and swine procured their own sub- 
sistence in the woods and multiplied rapidly, they were 
able to live in comparative ease and abundairee. They ac- 
knowledged no sovereign, and obeyed no laws, but such as 
resulted from their own sense of riglit and wrong. Several 
families, from Massachusetts, settled soon afler near Cape 
Fear, but their lands and fislicries proving unproductive, they 
Avere under tlie necessity of obtaining relief from their parent 
colony. 

The final settlement of Carolina originated with Lord 
Clarendon, and other courtiers of Charles II. On their ap- 
plication for a charter, he granted them, in 1663, all tlie lands 
lying between the 31st and 36lh degrees of north latitude, 
and extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The charter 
granted the usual power to make laws, with the approbation 
of the freemen of the colony ; and reserved to the crown the 



In what colony was Nortli Carolina 

originally inolinled ? 
What is said of Heath's patent ? 



Describe the earliest perm anentsettlc- 

inent at Alticmarle. 
To whom did Charles II grant a 

charter ? 



REVOLT OF THE PEOPLE OF ALBEMARLE. 



143 



right of sovereignty. Religious freedom was also specially 
provided for. 

The proprietaries, by virtue of this charter, claimed all the 
lands of Carolina, and jurisdiction over all who had settled 
oil them. The settlers in Albemarle, being placed under the 
superintendence of Sir William Berkeley, governor of Vir- 
ginia, he visited the colony, coniirmed the land titles, ap- 
pointed civil officers, authorised the calling of a general as- 
sembly ; and, when those arrangements were completed, 
entrusted the government to Mr. Drummond. 

The inhabitants of Albemarle were not satisfied with the 
new order of things. They petitioned to hold their lands on 
the same tenure as lands were held in Virginia ; and, not 
receiving a favourable answer, they broke out in insurrection, 
and remained in open revolt for nearly two years ; but they 
returned to their allegiance on receiving assurance that their 
petition was granted, and tliat Samuel Stephens, who, in 
1667, had been appointed governor, would give them lands 
in Albemarle, on the same terms as they were usually granted 
in Virginia. A constitution was at the same time fixed, pro- 
viding for the annual election of a legislature, the appoint- 
ment of the governor and half the council by the proprieta- 
ries, and the riglit of the assembly to regulate taxation. In 
1669, governor Stephens convoked the first assembly under 
this constitution. 

It was in the same year that the Earl of Shaftesbury, being 
commissioned to prepare the fundamcnfal constitutions of 
Carolina, employed, for that purpose, the celebrated John 
Locke. His system, however, was found to be totally inap- 
plicable to the purposes for which it was designed. It was 
ultimately abrogated by consent of the legislature. 

Meantime some settlers near Cape Fear were formed into 
a separate county, called Clarendon, under the direction of 
Sir John Yeamans, as commander in chief. North Carolina 
was, in fact, divided into two distinct colonies, Albemarle 
and Clarendon, with a governor to each ; but this arrange- 
ment was not of long duration. 

In 1670, William Sayle, being sent out by the proprieta- 
ries of North Carolina, settled at Port Royal ; and in the 
following year, being dissatisfied, he formed another settle- 
ment on the banks of the Cooper and Ashley rivers, which, 



What was done by Sir William 

Berkeley ? 
By the inhabitants of Albemarle ? 
How were they satisfied ? 



When was the first assembly con- 
voked ? By whom ? 
What is said of Locke's constitution .' 
Of the settlers near Cape Fear i 



144 



CULPEPPER S INSURRECTION. 



in honour of the king, was called Charleston. This ulti- 
mately led to the eslablisliment of a separate colony, which 
was called South Carolina, Sir John Yeamans was, soon 
after, made governor of this new colony. Clarendon and 
Albemarle were united, and formed the original foundation 
of the present State of North Carolina. 

The settlers of this northern colony were scattered along 
the coast, the sounds, and the rivers. Their progress was 
slow, and, in 1702, the population was no more than 6,000. 
Their prosperity was hindered by some disadvantages of 
local situation ; but still more by civil dissensions. 

In 1677, the dissatisfaction of the colonists with the mea- 
sures of the deputy governor, led to an open insurrection, 
headed by one Culpepper, who imprisoned the proprietary 
officers, seized the royal revenue ; and, in fact, exercised all 
the powers of an independent government. After two years 
of successful revolt, the insurgents, apprehending an inva- 
sion from Virginia, sent Culpepper and llolden to England, 
to offer submission, on condition of having their past pro- 
ceedings ratified. But Culpepper was seized, and tried fur 
high treason. The influence of Lord Shaftesbury saved him 
from conviction ; and the proprietaries sent out Seth Sothei 
to restore order in the colony. His administration was ut- 
terly corrupt and tyrannical ; and the inhabitants, after six 
years' endurance of his oppression, seized him in order to 
send him to Englniid for trial ; but, at liis request, he was 
detained and tried by the assembly, who banished him from 
the colony. He was succeeded by Philip Ludwell. After 
this event, we find few transactions of much interest in the 
colony, excepting the arrival of some German settlers at 
Roanoke, in 1710, until the year 1712, when the Tuscarora 
and Coree Indians, alarmed at the increase of the white 
population, formed a conspiracy for destroying the colony 
by a general massacre. Twelve hundred warriors united in 
this plot, and agreed to commence their attack on the same 
night. When the time came, they severally entered tlie 
houses of the planters, asked for provisions, and, affecting 
to be displeased with them, murdered men, women, and 
children, without distinction or mercy. Their measures were 



Of North Carolina .' 
When was Old Charleston settled ? 
Bj- wliom ? 

VVhat did this lead to ? 
What is said of the northern colony, 
and its progress ? 



Give an account of Culpepper's in- 
surrection. 
How did it terminate i" 
What took place in 1710 ? 
In 1712? 



SEPARATION OF THE CAROLINAS. 



145 



taken with such secrecy and despatch, that no alarm was 
spread until each house was tlie scene of a murderous tra- 
gedy. At Roanoke, one hundred and thirty-seven of the 
settlers were massacred. A few escaped to the other settle- 
ments ; and they were placed in a posture of defence, until 
assistance should arrive from South Carolina. 

Colonel Barnwell of South Carolina was sent, with 600 
militia and 36G Indians, to their relief. After marching 
through a wilderness of 200 miles, he arrived at the encamp- 
ment of the Indians, attacked and defeated them, killing 300 
of their number, and taking 100 prisoners. The survivors 
sued for peace. Hostilities were soon after renewed, and 
the Indians suffered another terrible defeat from a party 
under Colonel James Moore. Disheartened by these re- 
peated disasters, the Tuscaroras abandoned their ancient 
haunts, and, migrating to the north, united themselves with 
the Five Nations, constituting the sixth of that famous con- 
federacy. 

After South Carolina was settled, that colony and North 
Carolina had remained distinct, so far as to have separate 
governors and assemblies ; but they had remained under the 
same proprietaries. In 1729, seven of the proprietaries sold 
their rights, and they were completely separated. This 
measure promoted the peace, security, and happiness of both 
colonies. The last of the proprietary governors of North 
Carolina was Sir Richard Everhard. The first royal go- 
vernor was George Barrington. 

The population of North Carolina increased but slowly for 
the first hundred years. About the middle of the eighteenth 
century, it was ascertained that the lands of the interior were 
far more fertile than those on the coast. From this time 
emigrants, chiefly from Pennsylvania, poured into that re- 
gion in great numbers, and the lands were speedily brought 
into a state of high cultivation. In 1775, the population of 
the colony was estimated at a quarter of a million. 



What is said of Colonel Barnwell ? 
Of the Tuscaroras ? 
How was the separation of North and 
South Carolina effected ? 



What was its effect ? 
Give the subsequent remarks on 
North Carolina. 



13 



146 



sayle's settlement. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



COLONISATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 



The reader is already apprised of the intimate connection 
between the history of lliis province and that of North Caro- 
lina. 'J'hey were, for a long period, under the same proprie- 
taries ; but in all other respects, they remained distinct, from 
tlieir first settlement. 

The first efToclive settlement, by governor Sayle, was made 
at Port Royal, in 1670. He was accompanied by .Tosepli 
West, who, for upwards of twenty years, bore the chief sway 
in Carolina, and was now entrusted with the management of 
the commercial aflairs of the proprietaries, on whom the colo- 
nists long depended for their foreign supplies. The settlers 
brought with them tlie famous constitution prepared by John 
Locke, but on arriving at their destination, they found it to be 
more applicable to an old and populous, tlian a new and un- 
settled country. The order of nobles, which it permitted, 
would have compromised their dignity by hard labour on the 
soil, to which every man in the colony seemed destined. The 
colonists resolved, liowever, as they could not • execute the 
grand mode!,' ' that they would come as nigh to it as possi- 
ble.' They accordingly elected a council and delegates; and 
invested them with legislative and executive powers. 

They sufli"ered from a scarcity of provisions, at first; but a 
supply was soon sent by the projirietaries; and wrth it a plan 
for a magnificent town, and a regulation by which every 
settler was allowed 150 acres of land. Several persons were 
created landgraves, under the provision of Locke's constitu- 
tion ; and, among the rest, the lawgiver himself. But this 
race of Carolinian nobles was very short-lived. The attempt 
to estai)lish a feudal nobility in this country was universally 
felt to be ridiculous ; and it accordingly proved utterly abortive. 
Sayle fell a victim to the climate before bis settlement was 
well established. On his death, Sir John Yeamans claimed 
the oflice of governor, as due to the rank of landgrave, which 



When was the first ofTective settle- 
ment made in South Carolina ? 
By whom, and where ? 
What is said of West .' 
Of Locke's constitution ? 
Of the colonists ? 



From what circumstance did they 

suffer .' 
How were they relieved ? 
What is said of the order of nobility 

instituted by Locke y 
Of Sayle ? Of Yeamans ? 



HOSTILITY OF THE SPANIARDS. 



147 



no other person residing in the province enjoyed. The 
council preferred to give the office to Joseph West, until the 
pleasure of the proprietaries should be known ; who, after 
due deliberation, judged it expedient to entrust the government 
to Yeamans. 

In 1671, settlers from North Carolina and Port Royal, 
began to resort to the neighbourhood of Cooper and Ashley 
rivers ; and there they soon after laid the foundations of Old 
Charleston ; which became for some time tlie capital of the 
southern country. The settlements had now attracted the 
attention of the Spaniards at St. Augustine, who became 
very desirous to break them up. They sent emissaries to 
Charleston, who attempted to excite tlie inhabitants to revolt; 
encouraged indented servants to run away from their masters 
to the Spanish territory ; and instigated the Indians to extir- 
pate ithe colony. In these attempts the Spaniards were too 
successful; and the repeated attacks of the Indians, added to 
the severe labours, and occasional sickness of the colonists, 
were rapidly spreading discontent. An insurrection actually 
took place, but was easily quelled by the governor. 

While Yeamans was exerting himself to I'epress these dis- 
orders, the Spaniards, learning the situation of aflairs in the 
colony, despatched a party for the purpose of extirpating it. 
But they had proceeded no farther than St. Helena, when, 
hearing that a force was advancing to meet them, they hastily 
retreated. The Indians v/ere, meantime, diverted from their 
liostile operations against Charleston, by a war among them- 
selves, which nearly proved fatal to two of their principal 
tribes, the Westoes and Seranas. 

In 1673, the colony was strongly reinforced by the arrival 
of settlers from the Dutch province of New Netherlands, 
which having passed into the hands of the English, many of 
the original colonists chose to seek a new residence. They 
founded a town on the south-west side of the Ashley river, to 
which they gave the name of Jamestown. They were sub- 
sequently joined by large numbers of their countrymen from 
Holland ; and eventually deserting Jamestown, were dispersed 
throughout the province. 

Disputes now arose between tlie proprietaries and the 



Of West ? 

What transpired in 1671 ? 

How did the Spaniards display their 

hostility ? 
For what purpose did they despatch a 

party from St. Augustine ? 



What occasioned their retreat ? 
What diverted the Indians from an 

att-.ick on the colony ? 
What happened in 1673 ? 
What became a subject of dispute ? 



148 



SETTLEMENT OF CHARLESTON. 



colonists, occasioned by the heavy expenses, and deficient 
returns of the colony. The proprietaries attributed these, in 
part, to the mismanagement of Yeamans, who retired to Bar- 
badoes, and soon after died. His place was supplied by 
Joseph West. (1074.) 

In 1680, the proprietaries caused the capital of the province 
to be removed from Old Charleston to Oyster Point, which 
is formed by the confluence of Cooper and Ashley rivers. 
Here the present city of Charleston was founded; and, by 
the superior advantages of its situation, soon became the cliief 
city of the southern country. A war with the Indians, which 
broke out the same year, was speedily and successfully ter- 
minated by the prudent and vigorous measures of the governor. 

West's administration terminated in 1683, when he was 
succeeded by Morton. The practice of kidnapping Indians, 
and selling them in the West Indies, which had been intro- 
duced by West, was thlB subject of many disputes between the 
proprietaries and the colonists, during Morton's administra- 
tion, whose opposition to it finally occasioned his retirement. 
Kyrle was next appointed by the proprietaries ; but soon after 
died; and Quarry, his successor, being dismissed for coun- 
tenancing piracy, Morton was reinstated in 1685. 

In 1086, tlie Spaniards from St. Augustine invaded South 
Carolina, and laid waste the settlements of Port Royal. Pre- 
parations were made for an attack on St. Augustine, which 
was only prevented by the interference of the proprietaries. 
About the same time a large accession of emigrants arrived, 
consisting of Protestant refugees who had been driven from 
France by the revocation of the edict of Nantz. 

Morton was succeeded by James Colleton, in August, 1686. 
His administration was distinguished by a series of disputes 
with the legislature, who desired a new constitution, which 
the proprietaries refused to sanction. When the discontent 
of the colonists had attained its greatest height, Setii Sothel, 
who had been banished from Albemarle, suddenly presented 
himself at Charleston, and usurped the government, banished 
Colleton, and fined and imprisoned many others of the govern- 
ment party. But his tyranny and rapacity were soon found 
to be so intolerable, that, on the remonstrance of the proprie- 



Who retired and died ? 
Who was his successor ? 
When was Charleston settled ? 
What is said of the Indians ? 
Of kidnapping i 



What was done in 1686? 
What is said of Moiton's administra- 
tion ? 
Who usurped the government ? 
How did he behave i 



CULTURE OF RICE INTRODUCED. 



149 



taries, he was compelled to vacate his functions, and abandon 
the province. He vi^ent to North Carolina, where he died 
in 1694. 

Colonel Philip Lndwell was now appointed governor. He 
was anxious to protect the French refugees ; and endeavoured 
to have them naturalised, and admitted to equal rights with 
the rest of the colonists. This measure was resisted by the 
bigotry and intolerance of the people ; and it was not till many 
years afterwards, that they obtained the recognition of their 
natural rights. 

Thomas Smith succeeded Ludwell. It was under his 
administration that the celebrated fundamental constitutions 
of John Locke were finally abolished, and a system more 
conformable to the state of the country and the actual wants 
of the people, was substituted. 

In 1694, a ship from Madagascar, on her homeward pas- 
sage to Britain, happening to touch at Charleston, the captain, 
in acknowledgment of the civilities of governor Smith, pre- 
sented him with a bag of seed rice, which he said he had seen 
growing in the eastern countries, where it was deemed excel- 
lent food, and yielded a prodigious increase. The governor 
divided it among his friends, who agreed to make the experi- 
ment ; and planting their parcels in different soils, found the 
result to exceed their most sanguine expectations. From this 
incident we are to date the first introduction of one of the 
chief staples of South CaroUna. 

John Archdale, a Quaker, was appointed governor in 1695. 
His jurisdiction extended also to North Carolina ; and the 
wisdom and prudence of his administration were universally 
acknowledged. It terminated in 1696. John Blake was his 
successor. He was instrumental in conciliating the different 
religious sects, whose dissensions had been a source of much 
disturbance. He died in 1700. 

Under the rule of his immediate successors, Moore and 
Johnson, the colony was harassed by a succession of Indian 
wars ; involved in a heavy debt by an ill-conducted and fruit- 
less expedition against St. Augustine ; and agitated by religious 
disputes originating in a series of persecuting laws against the 
dissenters from the church of England. 



How was his power terminated ? 

What was attempted by governor 
Ludwell ? 

What was done during Smith's ad- 
ministration ? 



How was the culture of rice intro- 
duced into South Carolina ? 

What is said of Archdale and his ad- 
ministration ? 

Of Blake's ? 

Of Moore's ? and Johnson's ? 



13* 



150 



WAR OF THE YEMAS6EES. 



In 1706, during the administration of governor Johnson, 
the Spaniards from St. Augustine made a descent upon 
Charleston, but were repulsed with a heavy loss in killed, 
M'ounded, and prisoners. 

Henceforward tlie proprietary government was involved in 
constant disputes with the colonists, excepting a short interval 
during the administration of Charles Craven, until 1729, when 
the company of proprietaries was dissolved, the chief part of 
the chartered interests being sold to the crown. 

The war of the Yemassees occurred in 1715. It was at- 
tended with every circumstance of savage treachery and bar- 
barity. Ninety persons were massacred by the Indians, on 
the first onset at Pocotaligo, and the neighbouring plantations. 
Port Royal escaped by a timely warning, most of the inha- 
bitants being conveyed to Charleston by a vessel which was 
fortunately lying in the harbour. 

It was soon found that this was but the opening of the 
drama. All the southern tribes, from Cape Fear to Florida, 
were in arms, and seven thousand warriors were speedily 
arrayed against the Carolinas. Governor Craven mustered 
1,200 men; marched into the enemy's country; defeated 
them in a pitched battle, and drove them into Florida. Their 
lands were taken by the colony, and ofiered to purchasers. 
A body of 500 Irishmen was speedily settled on ihem, but 
being afterwards displaced by the injustice of the proprietaries, 
the land was again left vacant, and liie frontier exposed. 

For nearly a century after its first settlement, South Caro- 
lina, like North Carolina, had nearly all its population con- 
fined to the neighbourhood of the sea coast. But subsequently 
a flood of inhabitants poured into the western woods of the 
country, from the more northern provinces ; and before the 
revolutionary war commenced, the population amounted to 
248,000. 



CHAPTER XX. 



COLONISATION OF OEOROIA. 



Georgia was the last of the colonies settled before the de- 
claration of indepondencc. It had been originally included 



Whon was the proprietary govern- 
ment abolislied ? 
Give an account uf the Yrmassee war. 
What was done with the Indian lands? 



Give the concluding remarks respect- 
ing South Carolina. 

Under whnt chnrter was Georgia ori- 
ginally included .' 



Oglethorpe's treaty with the Indians. 151 




Attack of the Spaniards on Charleston in 170G. 



under the first charter for Carolina, but no settlements were 
made under that charter. The whole tract of country lying 
between the Savannah and Altamaha remained unoccupied by 
Europeans till the year 1732. In that year a company was 
formed in England for transporting into this unsettled wil- 
derness such of the suffering poor in the parent country as 
might be willing to emigrate for the purpose of gaining a 
livelihood. 

A charter was obtained from George II, incorporating the 
company under the name of ' Trustees for settling and esta- 
blishing the colony of Georgia.' Large sums of money were 
subscribed for defraying the expenses of transportation and 
settlement; and, in November, one hundred and sixteen per- 
sons embarked at Gravesend, under the direction of General 
James Oglethorpe, who arrived early the next year at Charles- 
ton. He was cordially received by the inhabitants, who were 
gratified with the prospect of establishing a barrier between 
themselves and the Spaniards of Florida. 

Having explored the country which he was about to occupy, 
Oglethorpe fixed upon a high bluflf on the Savannah river as 
a suitable situation for a settlement, and there founded the 
town of Savannah. Having completed the erection of a fort, 
his next object was to treat with the Indians for a share of 
their possessions. He accordingly summoned a congress at 
Savannah, composed of the chiefs of the Upper and Lower 
Creeks, and the Yamacraw Indians, represented to them the 
wealth, power, and intelligence of the English, and the ad- 



When was a settlement first made ? 
Under what circumstances ? 
Who was the leader of the colonists ? 
Where did he first arrive ? 



How was he received ? 

What town did he found ? 

Where ? 

With whom did he hold a conference ? 



152 



TOMOCHICHI. 



vantages which would accrue to the natives from an alliance 
with ihcm, and finally ofTered to purchase so much of their 
lands as might be required for the use of the new colony. 

After he had distributed presents among the Indians, his 
terms were acce])ted ; and Tomocliichi, in the name of the 
Creek warriors, adihessed him in a set speech. Among other 
observations, lie said, ' Here is a little present;' and then gave 
him a bufl'alo's skin, painted on the inside with the liead and 
feathers of an eagle, and desired him to accept it, ' because 
the eagle signified speed, and the buffalo strength. The Eng- 
lish,' lie proceeded, 'are as swift as the bird, and as strong as 
the beast ; since, like tlie first, they fly from the utmost parts 
of the earth, over vast seas, and, like the second, nothing can 
withstand tliem. The feathers of the eagle are soft, and sig- 
nify love; the buffalo's skin is warm, and signifies protection. 
He hoped, tliercfore, that they would love and protect their 
little families.' 

When this treaty was concluded with the natives, and the 
colony placed in a state of defence, Oglethorpe returned to 
England, taking with him Tomochirhi, his queen, and several 
other Indians. On- their arrival in London, they were intro- 
duced to the king and the nobihty, and treated with much 
distinction. Curiosity, and a desire to conciHate the native 
tribes, were sufficient motives with the Englisli for lavishing 
upon them an abundance of civilities and presents, and all 
classes strove to render their visit agreeable. At the end of 
four months they returned to their country ; and by their in- 
fluence with the Indian tribes, contributeil much to the good 
understanding which subsequently prevailed between them 
and the colonists. 

During the following year, five or six hundred emigrants 
arrived and took up their abode in the colony. Hut it was 
soon found that the paupers of England were not sufliciently 
hardy and industrious to form prosperous establishments in a 
jiew country. The trustees offered lands to other emigrants ; 
ami, in consequence of this encouragement, more than four 
hundred persons arrived from Germany, Scotland, and Swit- 
zerland, in 1735. The Highlanders built a fort and town at 
Darien ; and the Germans formed an establishment on the 
Savannah, which they called Ebenezer. In 1736, Oglethorpe 



What was the sulistancc of Tomochi- 

rlii's harangue ? 
What was done after the conclusion 



of the tronty.toscruio the continued 
fricnilship uf the Indians } 
Wliat took place in the following 
year? In 1735? In 1736? 



HOSTILITIES OF THE SPANIARDS. 



153 



arrived with two ships and three hundred emigrants. In tlie 
same year the celebrated John Wesley came out to Georgia, 
and commenced preaching to the colonists and Indians, His 
benevolent efforts met with much opposition ; and he was 
soon compelled to return to a more congenial sphere of use- 
fulness in England. 

Soon after his return, another distinguished methodist 
preacher, George Whitefield, arrived in the colony, and formed 
a project for establishing an orphan house for the education 
of poor children. He travelled all over the colonies and 
England, preaching and soliciting subscriptions for this pur- 
pose. His eloquence was very efficient in promoting his de- 
sign ; the orphan asylum was established, and still exists, 
although in no very flourishing condition. 

Oglethorpe's attention was now directed to the defence of 
the colony. He erected a fort on the banks of the Savannah, 
and another near the mouth of the Altamaha, where a town 
called Frederica was laid out and built. Ten miles nearer the 
sea, on Cumberland Island, he raised a battery, commanding 
the entrance to Jekyl Sound, and protecting Frederica from 
ships of war. 

The Spaniards sent a commissioner from II vanna, de- 
manding the evacuation of all the territories south of St. Helena 
Sound, as belonging to the King of Spain. Oglethorpe, having 
vainly remonstrated against this claim, broke up the confer- 
ence and returned to England. Here he received the ap- 
pointment of general and commander in chief of all his 
majesty's forces in South Carolina and Georgia; and returned 
with a regiment of six hundred men, designed for the protec- 
tion of the southern frontier. 

The Spaniards, meantime, had been busy in attempting to 
detach the Creeks from their alliance with the English ; but 
Oglethorpe, on his return, defeated their intrigues, and formed 
a new treaty of friendship with the chieftains. The Spaniards 
next employed a most unwarrantable stratagem against the 
English. Having corrupted an English soldier, who had 
been in their service, they employed him to excite a mutiny 
in Oglethorpe's camp, and an audacious attempt was made to 
assassinate the general. But his life was fortunately preserved, 
and the principal conspirators were shot. 



What is said of Whitefield ? 

What measures of defence were taken 

by Oglethorpe ? 
What was done by the Spaniards ? 
By Oglethorpe ? 



What force did he bring from England? 
With whom did he make a new treaty? 
What was attempted by the Spa- 
niards ? 
What was the result ? 



154 



INVASION OF GEORGIA BY THE SPANIARDS. 



By a report of the trustees, made in 1740, it appeared that 
twenty-five lunulred emigrants had been sent out to the colony, 
and five hundred thousand dollars expended on its settlement, 
■without rendering it independent of charitable contributions 
for support. 

An expedition was undertaken, in 1740, for the reduction 
of St. Augustine, under the command of Oglethorpe, with an 
army consisting of four hundred troops, from Georgia and 
South (Carolina, and a large body of auxiliary Indians. Two 
of the Spanish forts were taken, and St. Augustine was for- 
mally besieged. But the Spaniards, famous since the days of 
Scipio for resisting sieges, maintained their post ; and the 
colonial army was compelled to retire. 

In two years afterwards, this invasion was retaliated by a 
formidable land and naval force, chiefly from Havanna. The 
army consisted of three thousand men ; and their object was 
to drive Oglethorpe from the frontiers, break up the Georgia 
settlements, and then march on South Carolina and Virginia. 
As the South Carolinians had not yet sent him any assist- 
ance, the foundt ;• of Georgia was now left to his own resources. 
His operations in this emergency are thus described by Dr. 
Ramsay. 

' When the Spanish force proceeded up the Altamaha, Ogle- 
thorpe was obliged to retreat to Frederica. He had but about 
seven hundred men besides Indians ; yet, with a part of these, 
he approached within two miles of the enemy's camp, with 
the design of attackiiig them by surprise, when a French sol- 
dier of his party fired a musket and ran into the Spanish lines. 
His situation was now very critical, for he knew that the 
deserter would make known his weakness. Returning, 
however, to Frederica, he had recourse to the following ex- 
pedient. He wrote a letter to the deserter, desiring him to 
acquaint the Spaniards with the defenceless state of Frederica, 
and to urge them to the attack. If he could not efl^ect this 
object, Oglethorpe desired him to use all his art to persuade 
them to stay three days at Fort Simon's ; as, within that 
time, he should have a reinforcement of two thousand land 
forces, with six ships of war; cautioning him, at the same 
time, not to drop a hint of Admiral Vernon's meditated attack 



What farts were reported bj' the 

trusters of (leorfjia ' 
Give an account ol the siege of St. 

Au^justine. 
With wlint force did the Spaniards 
vade Georgia .' 



Wliat was Oglethorpe's force .' 
How was his weakness made known 

to the Spaniards ? 
By what stratagem diii he deceive the 

Spanish commander ? 



RETIREMENT OF OGLETHORPE. 



155 



upon St. Augustine. A Spanisli prisoner was entrusted with 
this letter, under promise of delivering it to the deserter ; but 
he gave it, as was expected and intended, to the commander 
in chief, who instantly put the deserter in irons. In the per- 
plexity occasioned by this letter, while the enemy was de- 
liberating what measures to adopt, three ships of force, which 
the governor of South Carolina had sent to Oglethorpe's aid, 
appeared on the coast. The Spanish commander was now 
convinced, be)'ond all question, that the letter, instead of 
being a stratagem, contained serious instructions to a spy; 
and, in this moment of consternation, set fire to the fort, and 
embarked so precipitately as to leave behind him a number 
of cannon, willi a quantity of military stores. Thus, by an 
event beyond human foresight or controul, by the correspond- 
ence between the suggestions of a military genius and the 
blowing of the winds, was the infant colony providentially 
saved from destruction, and Oglethorpe gained the character 
of an able general. He now returned to England, and never 
again revisited Georgia. In 1775, he was offered the com- 
mand of the British army in America. He professed his 
readiness to accept the appointment, if the ministers would 
authorise him to assure the colonies that justice would be 
done them ; but the command was given to Sir William 
Howe. He died in August, 1785, at the age of 97, being the 
oldest general in the service. Nine years before his death, 
the province of Georgia, of which he was the father, was 
raised to the rank of a sovereign, independent state, and had 
been for two years acknowledged as such by the mother 
country, under whose auspices it had been planted.' 

The interesting character and destiny of Oglethorpe has 
induced us to continue an extract from Dr. Ramsay's sketch, 
with a trifling omission, to tlie end of his life. We now 
return to the course of events in Georgia, after the Spanish 
invasion. 

The original charter of Georgia had prohibited the intro- 
duction of negroes and rum into the colony. The former of 
these restrictions was believed to have prevented the success- 
ful cultivation of their lands ; and the latter cut off" all com- 
merce with the West Indies. Their lands also were held by 
a tenure not satisfactory to the inhabitants. The consequence 
was, that in ten years after their first settlement, the people 



What circumstance favoured the de- 
ception ? What was the result ? 

What were the subsequent events of 
Oglethorpe's life ? 



What circumstances retarded the pro- 
gress of the colony ? 
What was the consequence ? 



156 



SURRENDER OF THE CHARTER. 



could, with great difficulty, obtain a scanty subsistence; and 
new emigrants were discouraged from entering a colony 
which laboured under such apparent disadvantages. The com- 
plaints which were made to the trustees were utterly dis- 
regarded ; and the colony was suffered to languish under all 
its discouragements till the year 1752, when the charter was 
surrendered to the king. 

Under the royal care the people were favoured with the 
same liberties and privileges which were enjoyed by the 
neighbouring colonies, and from this period Georgia rapidly 
advanced in population and wealth. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



COMMENCEMENT OF THE OLD FRENCH WAR. 



Hitherto Ave have regarded the British colonies of Nortli 
America as distinct communities, and have accordingly traced 
their histories separately, from the periods of settlement to the 
middle of the eighteenth century. Although they had thus 
far acknowledged a general relationship, and in some instances 
had formed political combinations, yet their remoteness from 
each other, their several difficulties of early colonisation, and 
the border wars whicii they were compelled to wage with the 
aborigines in their respective neighbourhoods, had thus far 
prevented them from ever becoming consolidated and united 
in any common design. 

It was perhaps fortunate, that the period had now arrived, 
when their whole frontier was threatened by an enemy suf- 
ficiently formidable to demonstrate the necessity of union and 
concerted action. They were henceforth to be one people, 
in war and in peace, bound together by common interests, 
touched by common sympathies, and nerved by one spirit. 

The war with France, commenced in 1754, in which that 
nation vigorously prosecuted its design of fortifying the terri- 
tory, which it claimed from Canada to Louisiana, was one iu 
which every colony had a direct and lively interest. It ac- 



When was the charter surrender- 
ed ? 
What followed ? 
What circumstance united the British 



colonics of North America, in a 
common cause .' 
When was the old French war com- 
menced !" 



DESIGN AND CLAIMS OF FRANCE. 157 

cordlng-Iy developed the resources of the whole country, and 
taught the lesson which, in a subsequent, and more interesting 
struggle, was of such vital imporiance, the lesson, namely, 
that union is strength. 

At the period when the war commenced, which was fami- 
liarly called, by the revolutionary veterans, the old French 
war, the French, in addition to their possessions in Canada 
and Nova Scotia, held a settlement in New Orleans, and a 
number of others in the surrounding region, to which they 
had given the name of Louisiana. As their possessions were 
extended up the Mississippi, they conceived the grand design 
of forming a complete chain of fortifications from New Orleans 
to the lakes ; thus partially surrounding the English colonies 
by a bow of which they would constitute the chord. 

This project excited the most lively apprehension in the 
English nation, and its colonies. Having granted charters to 
the first adventurers, embracing the whole territory from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, the English had advanced towards the 
west, in the full belief that their title to the country, in that 
direction, could not be controverted. The French settlements, 
scattered from Canada to the gulf of Mexico, of course inter- 
fered with these pretensions, and if held, would not only limit 
their territory, but expose the English inhabitants to perpetual 
incursions of the rival nation and its Indian allies, on the 
whole western border. The claims of France extended to 
the Alleghany mountains; and the whole fertile vale of the 
Mississippi became now the subject of a controversy, which 
could only be decided by the sword. 

The white population of the English colonies, at the com- 
mencement of this contest exceeded one million of souls, while 
that of the French was estimated at only fifty-two thousand. 

The governor of New France, a name given to the French 
possessions collectively, was by no means deterred from his 
purpose by this great disparity of numbers. While the 
population of his enemies was scattered over a widely ex- 
tended territory, and under various local governments, that 
of his own dominion was all under his own direction, and 
occupied a comparatively small space. Besides, his own 
people were military in their spirit and habits, and his alli- 
ances with the Indians commanded a much larger number of 
those barbarous, but efficient auxiliaries, than could be mus- 



How far Ind the French extended 

tlieir settlements ? 
What design had they formed ? 
Describe the manner in which the 



claims of France and England con- 
flicted. 
What was the population of the Eng- 
lish settlements ? Of the French ? 
14 



158 PROCEEDINGS OF -THE OHIO COMPANY. 

tered by his opponents. The Five Nations were almost the 
only Indian allies of the En<rlish, M'liile the French were 
connected by ties of interest and friendship with all die in- 
numerable hordes of the north and west. 

The command of Lake Champlain had been already attained 
by the French, who had erected a strong fort at Crown Point. 
A chain of fortifications had been extended up the St. Law- 
rence and along the great lakes ; and this was designed to be 
continued down to the Mississippi, 'i'he execution of this 
design was hastened by an act of the English government. 
The king had granted to a corporation, called the Ohio com- 
pany, a tract of 000,000 acres of land, lying in the disputed 
territory; and this company now proceeded to establish trad- 
ing houses and survey the country. 

The governor of Canada, considering this to be an intru- 
sion on the French dominions, wrote to tlie governors of 
New York and Pennsylvania, informing them of it, and 
threatening to seize the English traders, wherever tliey 
should be foimd. This intimation being disregarded, he 
seized some of the traders, and carried tlvem prisoners to 
Presque Isle, on Lake Erie, where he was eng-aged in erect- 
ing a strong fort. He also opened a communication from 
Presque Isle, down French creek and the Alleghany river, 
to the Ohio, and kept it open by detachments of troops and 
by entrenchments. 

Dinwiddie, the lieutenant governor of Virginia, regartling 
these proceedings as so many acts of aggression on that colo- 
ny, laid the suliject before the assembly, and despatched 
Major George Washington, (the same who afterwards be- 
came so nobly conspicuous in the annals of his country,) 
with a letter to the commandnnt of the French forces on the 
Ohio, requiring him to retire from llie dominions of his Bri- 
tannic majesty. 'I'o this letter tlie French oflicer replied that 
he acted under the orders of his general, then in Canada, and 
should hold himself responsible only to him. 

This answer being equivalent to a defiance, the Virginia 
spirit was roused, and active preparations were instantly com- 
menced for a campaign. Early in the spring of 1754, Major 
Washington advanced with a detachment of his regiment into 
tlie disputed territory, where he fell in with and defeated a 



What advantages had the French } 
What was done by the Ohio compa- 
ny } 
By the governor of Canada .' 
What was his next proceeding ? 



What was done by governor Dinwid- 
die ? 
Hy ("leorge Wnshington ? 
Hy the French officer ? 
What was done in the spring of 1754? 



CONVENTION AT ALBANV. 



159 



party of hostile French and Indians. Being joined by the 
remainder of his regiment, he pushed forward with the in- 
tention of preoccupying the post at the contiuence of the 
Alleghany and Monongaiiela rivers; but on his march thither, 
he met a superior force of French and Indians, who attacked 
him in a hastily built stockade, and, after a gallant resistance, 
compelled him to capitulate. The post towards which he 
was proceeding had already been occupied by the Frencfi, 
who built there a strong fort, which they called Fort Du 
Qnesne. 

Meantime the English government were not backward in 
perceiving and preparing for the approach of war. The Earl 
of Holderness, secretary of state, had written to tiie governors 
of the respective colonies, recommending united action, and 
directing their attention to the necessity of securing the 
friendship of the Five Nations ; ordering them at the same 
time to repel force by force, and, if possible, dislodge the 
French from their posts on the Ohio. 

A convention of delegates from the several colonies met at 
Albany, to treat with the Five Nations. Governor Shirley, 
of Massachusetts, embraced this opportunity of recommend- 
ing to the other governors to histruct their commissioners on 
the sul)ject of union. The delegates from Massachusetts and 
Maryland received the necessary instructions. ■ The others- 
received no direct authority for this purpose. The congress 
of delegates, however, after ejideavouring to secure the friend- 
ship of the Five Nations by large presents, directed a com- 
mittee to report a plan of union. It was accordingly re- 
ported, and approved, on the 4th of July. It provided for a 
grand council of delegates from the several legislatures, and 
a president general to be appointed by the king, and invested 
with a negative power. This council was to enact general 
laws for the union, raise money, and provide for and regulate 
the system of general defence. 

The delegates from Connecticut dissented from this plan, 
being apprehensive of the dangerous powers vested in the 
president general. The English government disapproved of 
the plan on the ground tliat the union might eventually lead 
to a concerted system of resistance to the supremacy of the 



For whit place did Washington 

march ? 
What stopped liim ? 
-Where was Fort Uu Quesne built ? 
What was done by the British secre- 
tary of state ? 



When and fiir what purpose was a 

convention held ? 
What was reported by a committee ? 
What were the provisions of the 

plan ? 
Who dissented ? 



160 



CONQtEST OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



mother country. The scheme was, therefore, hiid aside. 
Subsequent events proved that both objecting- parlies under- 
stood full well the tendency of such a union as the one pro- 
posed. 

'J"he ministry presented a plan of their own, wliich was 
still less acceptable; and it was accordingly dcterniiiied to 
carry on the war with British troops, aided by such rein- 
forcements as the colonies could raise. 

Early in the year 1755, General Braddock arrived from 
Europe with an army, and convened the governors of the 
several provinces in Virginia, on the 14lh of April, for the 
purpose of adopting a plan for the campaign. It was re- 
solved to carry on three expeditioUvS ; one against Fort I)u 
Quesne, to be conducted by General Braddock, at the head 
of the British army and auxiliary forces from Maryland and 
Virginia; a second against Niagara and Fort Fronlignac, 
under the command of Governor Shirley, his own and Pep- 
perel's regiments constituting the principal force ; and a third 
against Crown Point, led by Colonel William Johnson, and 
composed of the colonial troops raised in New England and 
New York. 

IMeanlime, the government of Massachusetts, having al- 
ready projected an invasion of Nova Scotia, sent out three 
thousand men to that province, under Colonel Winslow, who 
embarked at Boston, in May ; and in the course of the month 
of June, with the loss of only three men, the English ac- 
quired complete possession of the whole country. This con- 
quest was followed by the confiscation of the lands and 
moveables belonging to the French inhabitants, and their dis- 
persion tl^rough the English colonies ; a measure which the 
English considered necessary, though severe ; inasmuch as 
the war, which was already commtMicod, would render it 
extremely unsafe to permit their continuance in Nova Scotia, 
or their retirement to Canada. No parole, nor even the 
oath of allegiance to England, had ever been found suflri- 
ciently binding on these people, to prevent their taking an 
active part against the English, whenever an opportunity was 
afforded. 



What was tlip consequence ? 

What other plan was rejected ? 

Who arrived in 17;)5 i" 

Who formed a convention, and for 
what purpose ? 

What was tlie plan of the campaign ? 

Who was to command the first expe- 
dition, and where was it to act .' 



The second ? 

The third f 

Meantime what achievement was 

performed by the Massachusetts 

men ? 
How were the conquered people 

treated ? 
Why ? 



BRADDOCK S DEFEAT. 



161 




BraJdock"3 Defeat, 



After the convention of governors had separated, General 
Braddock proceeded to Fort Cumberland, in the western 
part of Virginia. After waiting here for the residue of his 
army for some time, he selected 1200 men, and, pushing 
forward towards Fort Dii Quesne, reached the Monongahela on 
the 8th of July. On the march, he was repeatedly warned 
to guard against a surprise. Washington and the other pro- 
vincial oflicers advised him to send forward the provincial 
troops, to scour the woods and look out for ambuscades. 
But Braddock, confident in his own skill and bravery, disre- 
garded their advice, and absurdly persisted in marching for- 
ward, as if no hidden enemy were to be apprehended. His 
van was composed of British troops, totally unaccustomed to 
forest warfare ; and the main body, with the artillery, fol- 
lowed at some distance. 

When within seven miles of Fort Du Quesne, in an open 
wood, thick set with high grass, as the troops were pressing 
boldly forward, the war whoop resounded in their ears, and 
a destructive fire was poured in upon them from thousands 
of invisible enemies. Every rock, and tree, and stump ap- 
peared to conceal a marksman. The van was thrown into 
confusion; but tlie main bod_y being ordered to come up, and 
the fire of the enemy being suspended in consequence of the 
fall of their commander, they were supposed to be dispersed. 
But in a few minutes the attack was renewed with increased 
fury ; the van was driven back upon the main body; and the 
whole army was thrown into utter confusion. The officers 
on horseback were conspicuous marks for the Indian sharp- 



Who marched towards Fort Du 

Quesne ? 
Who warned him of danger ? 



Did he regard the warning ? 
Whnt was the consequence ? 
Describe the battle. 



162 



CONSEQUENCES OF BRADDOCK S DEFEAT. 



shooters ; and most of ihcm were brought down. In a short 
time Washington was the only aid-de-camp left alive, and 
not wounded. He had iwo horses shot under him, and four 
bullets passed through his coat; but he escaped unhurt. He 
was reserved, by Providence, to perform future and more 
important services. Throughout the whole of that tremen- 
dous scene he displayed the most perfect coolness and s^f- 
possession. Braddock was not less undaunted. Aiuidst the 
whistling of the Indian bullets, he endeavoured to rally his 
men, and restore order. But being totally unacquainted with 
the Indian mode of fighting, he neither allowed his men 
to push into the forest siiigly and attack the enemy in their 
own way, nor did he order a retreat. He endeavoured to 
form his broken troops on the spot where they were first 
attacked, and where they still remained exposed to the fire 
of a sheltered enemy. The battle lasted three hours. The 
general, after having three horses shot under Iiim, received 
a mortal wound. The British officers fought with determined 
bravery ; and out of eighty-five, lost sixty-four of their num- 
ber, killed and wounded. The common soldiers of the Bri- 
tish regiments w^cre so unaccustomed to this savage mode of 
attack, that they soon broke and could not be rallied ; but the 
provincial troops stood their ground coolly ; and, under the 
command of Colonel Washingion, covered the retreat of their 
associates. 

The Indians, attracted by the rich plunder left upon the 
field, soon gave over the pursuit. The army retreated to the 
camp of (>olonel Dunbar, where Braddock died of his 
wounds. The panic of the defeated portion of the army was 
communicated to those troops which had been left in reserve; 
and the whole of the British troops, after destroying the 
chief part of their stores, hastily retreated to Philadelphia ; 
leaving the entire western frontier of Pennsylvania, Mary- 
land, and Virginia, exposed to the incursions of the savages. 
The selllements on the border were broken up, and the in- 
habitants driven towards the sea-board. Distress and dismay 
were tmiversal. Such were the efTccts of the presumption 
and folly _of one man. Had Braddock imt listened to the 
prudent counsels of Washington, the border would, probably, 
have been freed from the presence of a savage enemy ; and 
the inhal)itants might have held their possessions in peace. 



What was the numbrr of British 

officers killed and wounded } 
Who saved the remnant of the army? 



Whither did the whole army re- 
treat i" 
What was the consequence ? 



VICTORV OF COLONEL JOHNSON. 



163 



The two northern expeditions, though less disastrous than 
tliis, were both unsuccessful. The expedition of 1,500 men, 
commanded by General Shirley, against Niagara, was de- 
layed so that he was not able to reach Oswego till late in 
August ; while attempting to embark 700 men on the lake, 
his progress was arrested by a succession of heavy rains. 
The troops were discouraged and the Indians dispersed. The 
season being then too far advanced for the success of the en- 
terprise, the general retired to Albany, leaving 700 men in 
Oswego. 

The third expedition of this campaign, that against Crown 
Point, was to be executed by colonial troops raised in New 
England and New York, under the command of Colonel 
William Johnson. This was also delayed till the last of 
August. Baron Dieskau, the French commander, advanced 
to attack Johnson, who was on his march to Crown Point. 
Colonel Williams, with 1,000 men, was detached to meet 
him, but fell in the onset; and his party retired. A second 
detachment, ordered forward for his support, was also driven 
in upon the main body, who awaited it, posted behind fallen 
trees. The French, who were in close pursuit of the fugi- 
tives, now halted. The Americans commenced an effective 
fire, with musketry and two pieces of artillery, and soon 
put the enemy to flight, in their turn. Dieskau was mortally 
wounded, and taken prisoner. This victory re-assured the 
colonists, and removed the depression which Braddock's de- 
feat had occasioned. Johnson was rewarded with ^5,000 
sterling, and the title of bai'onet. 

Thus ended the campaign of 1755, leaving the colonies 
without any important point gained, except the recovery of 
Nova Scotia ; while tlie French and Indians maintained com- 
plete ascendency^ on tlie frontier; and, by their bloody incur- 
sions, broke up the border settlements, murdering the people, 
carrying them into captivity, or driving them into the more 
thickly settled regions. This disastrous result is to be attri- 
buted to the want of union and concerted action. 

Notwithstanding these hostile operations, war had Qot yet 
been formally declared between France and England. This 
took place, however, in the following spring, in consequence 



Wlint is said of the two other expe- 
ditions ag;iiTist the French ? 
What caused the failure of Shirley's ? 
Dcscrihe Johnson's operations. 
Wliat were their effects ? 



How was he rewarded ? 

What was the result of the campaign 

of 1755 ? 
What caused the declaration of 

war? 



164 



CAMPAIGNS OF 175G AND 1757. 



of the capture of part of a French squadron,' destined for 
America, by Admiral Boscawen. 

'J'he plan for the campaign of 1750, was similar to that of 
1755. \i} a grand council of war, held by General Sliirley, 
commander in chief of the British forces in America, and the 
governors of Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and 
Maryland, it was resolved to attempt the reduction of Crown 
Point and Niagara, with the other posts on Lake Ontario, and 
of Fort Du Quesne. For this purpose it was determined to 
raise 19,000 men in America. This number was so unusu- 
ally large, that mucli delay was experienced in the raising of 
recruits. A furtlier source of difhculty was the regulation 
requiring that provincial officers should be under British 
ofTicers when they acted together. 

While they were adjusting their claims to rank, and delibe- 
rating whether to attack Niagara, or Fort Du Quesne, Mont- 
calm, the successor of Dieskau, an accomplished and brave 
officer, advanced at the head of 5,000 French and Indians, and 
invested Oswego. The garrison, consisting of 1,600 men, 
well supplied with provisions, was soon compelled to sur- 
render ; and the fortress was demolished. 

This bold measure completely disconcerted the original 
plan of the campaign, and notiiing was thought of now, but 
security against further losses. An invasion was expected ; 
and the colonies were urged to send forward reinforcements. 
To add to the distress, the small-pox broke out in Albany, 
and spread such alarm that it was found necessary to garrison 
the posts in that neighbourhood with British troops, and dis- 
charge all the provincials, except a regiment raised in New 
York. Tluis, the second campaign terminated as unfortu- 
nately as the preceding one. 

The campaign of 1757 was, nevertheless, commenced with 
great zeal and activity. Lord Loudon, the new commander 
in chief of the British forces, applied for 4,000 men from 
New England, which were promptly granted. A formidable 
fleet and army arrived from England ; and confident hopes 
were now entertained of the speedy downfall of the French 
power in America. It was determined to concentrate the 



What was the plan of the campaign 
of 17f)6 f 

What diflicultics existed? 

What was done by Montcalm ? 

What was the etrect of this proceed- 
ing ? 



Wliat was tlie result of this cam- 



paign 



What was the plan of the campaign 
of 1757 ? 



CAPTITRE OF rORT WILLIAM HENRY. 



165 



whole disposable force upon one point — the fortress of Louis- 
bourg, on ihe island of Cape Breton. But intelligence being 
received that an immense land and naval force had been sent 
out to this place from France ; and the strength of the forti- 
fications being perfectly well known to the Americans, the 
proposed expedition was abandoned, and the British admiral, 
and general, returned from New England to New York. 

The French general, Montcalm, meantime determined to 
gain complete possession of Lake George. Collecting from 
the forts at Crown Point, and 'i'iconderoga, and from the 
Canadian and Indian establishments, an army of 9,000 men, 
lie laid siege to Fort William Henry, a place of considerable 
strength, with a garrison of 3,000 men, and urged his attack 
with so much skill and resolution, that in six days the com- 
mander. Colonel Monroe, was compelled to capitulate. A 
reinforcement, sent to his aid, did not arrive in season. Its 
return to New York, in August, closed the military operations 
of this season. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



CONQUEST OF CANADA. 



At the close of the canqpaign of 1757, the affairs of Great 
Britain, and of her colonies in America, wore a very unpro- 
mising aspect. Three campaigns, carried on with immense 
exertion and expense, had produced nothing but disaster and 
defeat. The lakes, and the whole western and northern 
border, were in possession of the French and Indians ; who, 
with a vastly inferior force, had maintained their ground, and 
even extended their encroachments. The French had been 
successful every where. The British had every where ex- 
perienced reverses. Not only in America, but in Europe 
and Asia, their arms had been unsuccessful. It was seriously 
apprehended that the French would make good their claim to 
the whole valley of the Mississippi, and thus fulfil their de- 
sign of connecting Canada with Louisiana, and confining the 



What prevented its execution ? 
What fortress was lest ? 
Describe the alTuir 



What was the state of affairs at the 
close of the campaign of 1757 f 



I'QG PREPARATIONS FOR TlIE CAMPAIGN OF 1758. 

British settlements to the Atlantic horder. In the colonies, 
men looked forward with apprehension and dismay. 

But a new era was at hand. One of those 'clioice and 
master spirits,' tliat never fail to leave their impress oi> their 
age and nation, had rise« to the direction of affairs in Britain ; 
and summoned to his aid the best talents of the country. 
AVilliam Pitt, Earl of Chatham, had been placed at tlie head 
of the new administration ; and, uniting a bold and masterly 
style of eloquence with consummate ability in the UKma^e- 
ment of state affairs, he possessed the full confidence of the 
nation, and the complete command of its resources. His 
plans of operation were grand ; and the means which he em- 
ployed for their accomplishment were always ailequate to 
their object. Superior to the prejudices of party, he sought 
out and employed merit wherever it could be found. His 
means and his talents were greater than had been possessed 
by any of his pre/.lecessors, 

Pitt was highly popular in America, and the confidence 
inspired by his energy and decision led the colonists to make 
every exertion, and every sacrifice, which the occasion re- 
quired. A circular letter of Mr. Pitt ass\ired the several go- 
vernors, that, to repair past losses and disappointments, the 
cabinet was determined to send a formidable sea and land 
force to America; and he called upon them to raise as many 
men as possible, promising all the munitions of war, and a 
future compensation for the expenses of the soldiers' wages 
and clothes. 

Massacluisetts agreed to furnish 7,000 men; Connecticut 
5,000 ; New Hampshire 3,000. These troops were in the 
field in May. Meanwhile the British fleets blocked up, in the 
French ports, the men and stores designed for Canada, or 
captured tiiem on the sea. A powerful armament sailed from 
England. Twelve thousand men, under the command of 
General Amherst, arrived in Halifax; and, soon after. General 
Abercrombie, the commander in chief, found himself at the 
head of an army of fifty thousand men, of whom twenty 
thousand were provincials. 

Three expeditions were proposed; one against Louisbourg; 



AMiat gave them a new asppt-t ? 

What was the character of Lord Cha- 
tham ? 

How was he regarded in America ? 

AVhat was promised in his letter to 
the governors ? 



Wliat states furnished troops, and ia 
what niimt)ers ? 

What was done l)j' the British fleet ? 

How many men were sent from Eng- 
land f 

Wliat was tlie whole number mus- 
tered ? 



CAMPAIGN OF 1757^ 



167 



a second against Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; and a third 
against Fort Du Qiiosne. That against Louisbourg consisted 
of 14,000 men, 2^0 ships of the Ifne, and 18 frigates. This 
formidable armament arrived before Louisbourg on the 2d of 
June ; and, in less than eight weeks, the fortress was surren- 
dered. 

The expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point was 
onsuGcessfnl. Sixteen thousand men were ordered on this 
service. Tiiey crossed Lake George in boats ; and, landing 
on the western side, were soon engaged with the enemy. 
Lord Howe fell at the first fire. General Abercrombie pro- 
ceeded ; and, after an action, took possession of a post near 
Ticonderoga. On the 8th of July, he attempted to carry the 
fortress itself, by assault. But the works wei'e strong ; and 
the commander was the able and courageous Montcalm. After 
a contest of four hours, and the loss of 1,800 men, the British 
were compelled to retire. 

Abercrombie now detached Colonel Bradstreet, with 3,000 
men, and eight pieces of cannon, who succeeded in capturing 
Fort Frontignac, an unimportant post, on the north side of 
Lake Ontario, garrisoned by 110 men. The fort being de- 
stroyed, Bradstreet returned to the main body ; and nothing 
further was attempted, by this division of the forces, during 
the campaign. 

The expedition against Fort Du Quesne was undertaken by 
General Forbes, with 8,000 men. On arriving at the fort, 
they found it abandoned by the garrison, who had gone down 
the Ohio river in boats. The place was thenceforward called 
Pittsburg, in honour of Mr. Pitt. The Indians came in and 
entered into treaties, which gave peace and security to the 
frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. 

Two of the three objects of the campaign of 1758 had thus 
been accomplished. It now remained to attempt the complete 
conquest of Canada. Accordingly it wa's agreed, that in the 
next year three powerful armies siiould enter Canada by dif- 
ferent routes, and severally attack the strong holds of the 
enemy. General Wolfe, with one division, was to ascend 
the St. Lawrence, and lay siege to Quebec. Another division 
was to reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; and then de- 



What three expeditions were pro- 
posed ? 

How did the first succeed ? 

The second ? 

Describe the fust operations of this 
expedition. 



The subsequent operations. 

What was accomplished by the third 
expedition ? 

What was the plan of the next cam- 
paign ? 



1C8 



GENERAL WOLFE BEFORE (iUKBKC. 



scend the river and join General Wolfe before Quebec. The 
third division, under General Prideanx, was to reduce Niagara 
and Montreal, and then proceed to Quebec, the ultimate object 
of the whole force. General Amherst advanced to Ticonde- 
roga and Crown Point, and found those places abandoned. 
He then made an unsuccessful attempt to gain possession of 
the lake ; but, after capturing two vessels, was obliged, by- 
storms and the advanced season of the year, to return to 
Crown Point and go into winter quarters. Prideaux besieged 
Niagara ; and, being killed, the command devolved on Sir 
AVilliam Johnson, who succeeded in reducing the place. 
Neither of these armies was able to eflcct a union with Gene- 
ral Wolfe. Fortunately he was able to accomplish the grand 
object, without their co-operation 

Embarking at Louisbourg, with 8,000 men, and a formida- 
ble train of artillery, Wolfe proceeded up the St. Lawrence, 
and landed his army on tlie island of Orleans, near Quebec. 
The diiTiculiies which he had to encounter were sufficiently 
great to have deterred a less ardent commander ; but it was a 
maxim of Wolfe's that ' a victorious army finds no diificuhies.' 
He first attacked tlie French entrenchments at the falls of 
Montmorency ; but without success. He then landed his 
troops in the night, and ascended a steep craggy cliff, to an 
eminence, called tbe Heights of Abraham, in rear of the city. 
Montcalm, the French general in chief, now determined to 
leave his camp and attack the English army. 

Accordingly, on the I3lh of September, he drew out his 
forces, and prepared for a pitched batde. The French ad- 
vanced to the cliarge with their usual spirit, and the action 
commenced with great resolution on both sides. The Eng- 
lish reserved their fire till the French were within forty yards 
of them, and then gave it with effect. Wolfe, advancing at 
the head of the British grenadiers with charged bayonets, 
received a mortal wound. Monckton, who succeeded in the 
command, was shot through the body ; and the direction of 
the army devolved on General Townshend. Montcalm, too, 
received a mortal wound ; and General Senezurgus, the se- 
cond in command, fell. The French were driven from the 



What was done hy Ooneral Amherst .' 
By I'riilcaux and Johnson ? 
What was Oiicral Wolfe's force ? 
Where diil he land ? 
Wliore did he meet with a repulse ? 
How did he j^ain the Heights of Abra- 
liuni ' 



What was done then by Montcalm ? 
When and how did the battle com- 

mcnre ? 
How did it terminate P 
^\■hat general officers were killed ? 



FALL OF QUEBEC. /69 

field ; aivd a reinforcement, brought forward by Bougainville, 
was also compelled to retire. 

It appears that, in this decisive action, the numbers on both 
sides were nearly equal. The English troops, however, were 
all veterans, while those of the French commander were but 
half of that description. The French regulars were almost 
all destroyed ; wliile the English loss was less than 600 in 
killed and wounded. They had to mourn, however, the loss 
of their gallant commander ; whictl was regarded as a national 
calamity in the mother country, as well as in the colonies. 
He received a ball in his wrist at the commencement of the 
action ; but he wrapped a handkerchief round his arm, and 
continued to encourage his men. He soon afterwards received 
a ball in the body, but also concealed this wound, and was 
advancing at the head of tlie grenadiers, when a third bullet 
pierced his breast. In a dying state, he unwillingly sufTered 
himself to be borne to the rear, still evincing the greatest 
anxiety for the fate of the day. Being informed that the 
enemy's ranks were breaking, lie reclined his head, from 
extreme faintness, on the arm of an officer. He was soon 
roused by the cry ' They fly, they fly.' ' Who fly ?' he ex- 
claimed. ' The French,' was the reply. ' Then,' said the 
dying hero, ' I depart content,' and almost instantly expired. 
How many tears have been shed at this simple but aff'ecting 
recital ! How often, by the firesides .of the colonists, for 
years afterwards, has the touching ballad in which his gal- 
lantry and his mournful fate are sung, drawn forth the sym- 
pathies of the listening circle. Wolfe was the favourite hero 
of our ancestors ; and his name was long held in grateful 
remembrance. 

While General Townshend was making preparations for 
the siege of Quebec, the town capitulated, on condition that 
the inhabitants should be protected in their religious and civil 
rights, till a treaty of peace should determine their future 
condition. General Murray left a garrison of 5,000 men at 
Quebec, and sailed with the fleet and the remainder of the 
army, from the St. Lawrence. 

The campaign of 17G0, was directed to the reduction of 
Montreal, and the remaining posts of the French in Canada. 
A well concerted union of three divisions of forces, under 
Amherst, Johnson, and Haviland, secured the capitulation of 



What was the loss on each side ? 
Describe the circumstances of General 
Wolfe's death. 



What city now capitulated ? 
What was accomplished in the next 
campaign ? 
15 



170 RESULTS OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1760. 

Montreal, in September; and all the other fortresses were 
soon after siirreiulered to the English. The French power 
in Canada was thus entirely overthrown ; and it thencefor- 
ward became a British province. 

The Hriiish arms were equally successful in other parts of 
tlic world. Important conquests were made in Europe, Asia, 
and Africa. Spain iiavinc declared war against England, in 
17G2, lost the important city of Havaniia, while France was 
compelled to surrender Martinique, Granada, St. Lucia, St. 
Vincent, and all the Caribbce ishnuis. A general treaty of 
peace gave Britain all iicr conquests in Norih America, with 
tiie river and port of Mobile, and all the French territory on 
the eastern side of tlie Mississippi, reserving only the island 
of New Orleans. The French possessions, in th.at quarter, 
were thenceforward bounded by the Mississippi, from its 
source to the river Iberville, and thence by a line drasvn along 
tlie middle of that river, and of the lakes Maurepas and Pont- 
chartrain. 

The Havanna was exchanged with Spain for the Floridas. 
The British empire, in North America, was thus not only 
extensively widened, but clearly defined by great natural 
boundaries, which bade fair to remove all future causes of 
controversy with other nations respecting their possessions 
on the continent. 

•One hundred and sixty years had elapsed between the first 
permanent British settlement in North America, and the con- 
quest of Canada. During a great part of this period, Eng- 
land, France, and Spain, had been contending respecting the 
boundaries of their several possessions on the continent ; and 
the wars to which these controversies gave rise, were of the 
most distressing and sanguinary character. F]ach power was 
willing to employ the tomahawk and scalpiiiif knife of the 
savage, in its aggressions on the others ; and all the barbari- 
ties of Indian warfare were thus brought home to the fiic- 
sides of the defenceless settlers. Well might the inhabitants 
of the country now rejoice that the controversy was termi- 
nated ; and look forward with hope for a period of undis- 
turbed tranquillity. 



Ill wtint otliPi- pnrts of tlie world I Wliat rpmnrks are made concerning 
wove the Mritisli successful ^ \ the late American wars ? 

What possessions were given to the 
British in the treaty ? I 



DISPOSITION OF THE COLONISTS TOWARDS ENGLAND. 171 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



THE REVOLUTION. 



The attachment of the American colonies to the mother 
country was never stronger than at the close of the French 
war, which terminated in the conquest of Canada. To the 
natural ties of brotherhood were superadded the strongest 
feelings of mutual regard, arising from a participation in 
common dangers, and a common victory. The colonists 
were proud of their descent from British ancestors, and their 
connection ith one of the most powerful nations of Europe. 
They were also fully sensible of the value of English liberty, 
and every colonist believed himself to be equally entitled 
with his brethren, on the opposite side of t!)e Atlantic, to all 
the essential rights of a Brilisli subject. 

The habits of the early settlers, and many circumstances 
in the history of their descendants, had led them to study, 
with attention and lively interest, the principles of political 
liberty, and to watch, with the most jealous vigilance, against 
every encroachment of arbitrary pov/er. The degree of au- 
thority which might be legally exercised over the colonies, 
by the parent state, had never been very clearly defined. The 
doctrine prevailed in England, that parliament had the power 
of binding them in all cases whatever. In America this had 
been repeatedly and publicly denied. 

In JNew England, the colonial assemblies were supposed 
to possess every legislative power not expressly surrendered. 
This, however, had been modified into an admission that par- 
liament might regulate commerce, but not the internal affairs 
of the colonies. As early as 1692, t!ie general court of Mas- 
sachusetts passed an act, denying the right of any other legis- 
lature to lay a tax on the colony ; and, not long after, the 
same denial was extended, by the assembly of New York, to 
all legislation over the colony. These acts were disapproved ; 
and expressly denied in England, in 1696; and the power 
of parliament to regulate certain internal affairs of the colo- 
nies, had been established by usage. In the middle and 



Whit were the dispositions of the 
American colonies towards the mo- 
ther country ? 

Wliat was their character as free- 
men i* 



What was the political doctrine of 
New England ? 

What had been done by the legisla- 
tures of Massachusetts and New 
York ? 



172 



SCHEME FOR TAXING THE COLONIES. 



southern colonies, while the power of general legislation 
Avas admitted to belong to parliament, that of direct internal 
taxation was denied. Schemes for taxing the colonies by 
authority of parliament had been formed in 1739, and again 
in 1754, but, from temporary causes, they had been abandoned. 

Tiie expenses of the recent war had rendered necessary a 
great addition to the usual taxes of the English nation. Ap- 
prehensive of rendeiing themselves unpopular, by pressing 
too severely on the resources of the people at home, the 
ministry directed their attention to the North American colo- 
nies ; and determined to revive the scheme for raising a re- 
venue from that source. Mr. Grenville, first commissioner 
of the treasury, (1763,) introduced a resolution, which was 
passed, without much debate, declaring that it would be 
proper to impose certain stamp duties on the colonies. The 
actual imposition of them was deferred till the next year. 

At the same tiriie, other resolutions were passed, imposing 
new duties on tlie trade of the colonies ; those on the com- 
merce with the French and Spanish colonics amounted to a 
prohibition of fair trade, and the regulations for collecting 
them were calculated to prevent the smuggling which had 
hitherto hern overlooked, or connived at. All the naval 
oflicers, on the American station, were converted into revenue 
oflicers ; and many seizures were made. The forfeitures 
were ordered to be decided on by courts of rice-admiralty ; 
as if the government distrusted the impartiality of the ordi- 
nary tribunals. 

These acts were received in the colonies with a general 
feeling of indignation. Treated hitherto with comparative 
kindness and indulgence, the people could not fail to perceive 
that such measures were harsh and coercive. They were, 
in fact, not less impolitic than unkind ; for it could not rea- 
sonably be expected that those communities, who had been 
left to grow in tlic free air of independence in ciiildhood, and 
liad acted as the allies of the ])arent state in youth, would 
submit to a system of unbending restraint, when tliey had 
attained to the strength and maturity of maniiood. Parlia- 
ment should have understood, that wliile the colonies were 
becoming more and more jealous of their rights, they were 



In the midille and southern states ? 

What made tlic British ministry de- 
sirous of raising a revenue from 
the colonics ? 

How did tlicy determine to do it ? 



What resolution was passed in par- 
liament I* 
What new duties were imposed ? 
How were these acts received in the 

•colonies ? 
Why were they impolitic ? 



THE STAMP ACT. 173 

also becoming sensible of their power. If they had learned 
the lesson of civil freedom from the Pilgrims, they had also 
learned the art of war from the French and Indians. 

The resolution to lay a duty on stamps was particularly 
odious in the colonies ; and the right of parliament to impose 
taxes ou the colonies for the express purpose of raising a 
revenue, was strongly and universally denied. Petitions to 
the king, and memorials to parliament, against the measure, 
were sent in from several of the provincial assemblies. The 
agent of Massachusetts, in England, was instructed to use his 
utmost endeavours to prevent the passage of the stamp act; 
and associations were entered into, in various parts of the 
country, to diminish the use of British manufactures. 

Tliese, and other measures of the same tendency, did not 
prevent the ministry of Great Britain from persisting in their 
determination; and, accordingly, in the spring of 1765, the 
famous stamp act was passed; not, however, without a 
spirited opposition from the minority. The act provided, 
that contracts, bills, notes of hand, and other legal documents, 
should be written on stamped paper, which the British govern- 
ment was to furnish at certain high prices, or that these con- 
tracts, &c. should not be valid in law. It was a direct, and 
a very heavy tax, on almost every transaction in business. 

The passage of this law excited the most serious alarm 
throughout the colonies. It was perceived, at once, to be the 
commencement of a system of extortion, which would leave 
the people nothing which they could securely call their own. 
It therefore became necessary to resist its execution or pro- 
cure its repeal, or to give up all claims to civil liberty. 

Combinations were immediately formed against the execu- 
tion of the law ; and every exertion was made by the popular 
leaders, to impress on the public mind the fatal consequences 
of submitting to it. The assembly of Virginia, on motion of 
the celebrated Patrick Henry, passed resolutions, declaring 
the exclusive right of that assembly to lay taxes and imposi- 
tions on the inhabitants of that colony. Other colonial 
legislatures passed similar resolutions. The house of re- 
presentatives of Massachusetts, perceiving the necessity of 
combined action, recommended a congress of deputies, from 
all the colonial assemblies, to meet at New York on the first 



What was done by the colonists to 
prevent the passage of the stamp 
act ? 

When did it pass ? 

15 



What were its provisions .' 
How was the news received in Ame- 
rica ? 
How was its ohject defeated ? 



174 



FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 



Monday in October, Meantime the press was not idle ; and 
the popular tlnmour was so urgent, that nearly all the stamp 
oflicers were compelled to resign. 

The first continental congress met at llie time appointed. 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,' N^v 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Three Lower Counties .on the 
Delaware, and South Carolina, were represented. Timothy 
Ruggles, of Massacliusetts, was chosen president. Their 
first measure was a declaration of the rights and grievances 
of the colonists. In this important state paper, they asserted 
their title to all the rights and liberties of natural born sub- 
jects within the kingdom of Great Britain ; the chief of which 
are, the exclusive power to tax tiiemselves, and the trial by 
jury ; both of which had been invaded by the recent acts of 
parliament; and the tendency of these acts to subvert their 
rights and liberties \<'as clearly pointed out. They also ad- 
dressed a petition to the king, and a memorial to each house 
of parliament. 

These papers were temperate and respectful, but firm ; ex- 
pressing the attachment of the colonies to the mother country, 
but earnestly declaring their rights. After recommending to 
the several colonies to ap[)oint special agents for oiUaining a 
redress of grievances, and transmitting a copy of their pro- 
ceedings to each colony, the congress adjourned. 

Meantime the people formed associations to encourage 
domestic manufactures and the raising of sheep, in order to 
dispense with the usual supplies from England ; and, to avoid 
using stamps, law proceedings were suspended, and arbitra- 
tions resorted to. Some riotous and disorderly proceedings 
took place, which resulted in the destruction of property, and 
much insult and abuse to obnoxious supporters of the British 
government. 

While these things were passing in America, a complete 
change took place in the ministry of Great Britain. Mr, I^ilt, 
in parliament, openly condemned the stamp act, and recom- 
mended its immediate repeal ; asserting that parliament had 
no right to tax the colonies. The late ministers opposed 
this opinion, and predicted a revolution. After a highly 
spirited debate, the stamp act was repealed; but, at the same 



AVlicn (lid tlie first continental con- 
gress meet ' 

Who was clioscn prcsiilent ? 

What wa? their first measure ? 

Wlmt was stated in tlie declaratiun 
of rights ? 



What further was done by the con- 
press p 

What was done by the people .' 

Who opposed the stamp act in parlia- 
ment .' 

Was it repealed ? 



REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT. 



175 



time, a declaratory act was passed, asserting the right of 
Great Britain to bind the colonies in all cases whatever. 

In America, the news of the repeal of the stamp act was 
received with the liveliest expressions of joy and gratitude. 
Public thanksgivings were offered in the churches. The 
importation of British goods was again encouraged ; and the 
homespun dresses being given to the poor, the people once 
more appeared clad in the products of the mother country. 
The declaratory act, asserting the supremacy of parliament, 
being considered a mere salvo to wounded pride, was little 
regarded ; and the colonists believed that the attempt to force 
direct internal taxes would not again be made. 

A circular letter was addressed by secretary Conway, to the 
governors of the several colonies, in which he censured the 
colonists in mild terms for the late disturbances, but at the 
same time required compensation to be made to those who 
had suffered by the riots, which had taken place at Boston 
and New York, in the summer of 1765. In June, 1766, 
this letter was laid before the assembly of Massachusetts, by 
governor Bernard, accompanied by such remarks, that the 
assembly thought proper to delay the act of indemnity till 
December, and then to accompany it with a general pardon 
to all offenders in the recent disorders. This act was dis- 
allowed by the king and council, on the ground, that the 
pardoning power belonged exclusively to the crown. This, 
however, did not prevent the act from taking eff'ect. Go- 
vernor Bernard was naturally haughty, and tyrannical, and 
delighted to thwart the legislature in all their proceedings. 
His conduct exasperated the popular party, and confirmed 
them in their opposition. 

In New York, the legislature voluntarily compensated the 
suff'erers by the riots ; but refused to execute an act of parlia- 
ment, called the mutiny act, for quartering the king's troops 
upon them ; because it appeared to involve the principle of 
taxation. The same thing was refused by the legislature of 
Massachusetts for the same reason. 

Meantime, a change had taken place in the British cabinet. 
William Pitt came into power with a ministry composed of 



How was the news received in Ame- 
rica ? 

What was now done by the people ? 

What was the purport of the secre- 
tary's letter ? 



What was done by the legislature of 

Massachusetts ? 
By governor Bernard ? 
By the legislature of New York ? 
What change took place in the British 

cabinet ? 



176 



OPPOSITION TO THE NEW TAXES. 



different parties, and under their auspices, a new act of par- 
liament was passed, laying a tax on glass, paper, pasteboard, 
white and red lead, painter's colours and tea, inipoited into 
the colonies. Pitt was at this time confined by sickness, in 
the country. 

The refusal of the legislatures of New York and Massa- 
chusetts to execute the mutiny act, being disapproved by the 
ministry and parliament, an act was passed restraining the 
legislature of New York from passing any law whatever, until 
they furnished the king's troops with all that was required by 
the mutiny act. At the same time commissioners were ap- 
pointed for executing the revenue laws, in a more speedy 
and effectual manner than had hitherto been done. 

The reception of these laws in America, was any thing but 
cordial. All minds were at once employed in considering, 
and all pens in defending the rights which they invaded. 
The legislature of New York granted the required sup- 
plies; but in Massachusetts the spirit of resistance was again 
awakened, and displayed itself, particularly in opposibion to 
the required grants of money fur the maintenance of crown 
officers. The legislature addressed a circular to the otlier 
colonics, stating the dilhculties to be apprehended from the 
late acts of parliament, and calling upon tliem fur their co- 
operation in measures for obtaining redress. 

On receiving inl'ormation of this proceeding, the ministry 
were alarmed at the prospect it preseiiled of a new combina- 
tion among the colonies, and Lord Hillsborough, secretary of 
state, wrote to liie governor of IMassacliusetts requiring it to 
be rescinded. This order the legislature, in June, 1708, 
refused to comply willi, declaring tiieir right to petition for 
redress of grievances, and to call on the otlier colonics to unite 
with them fur the same purpose. On tht^ question to rescind, 
James Otis of Boston, said, ' When Lord Hillsborough knows 
that we will not rescind our acts, let him apply to parliament 
to rescind theirs. Let IJritain rescind their measures, or they 
are lost for ever.' On receiving iriformation of the decision 
of the house, governor Bernard dissolved the assembly. 
The otlier colonies were equally refractory. The as- 



Whnt new taxes were laid ? 

AVli.it rcstriflions on the legislatni'es 

of I\I;iss;ichusetls and New York 

were passed ? 
How were these laws received in 

America ? 



VVIiat was done in New York ? 
In Massachusetts ? 

What was done by Lord Hillsl)orou{;h ? 
liy the legislature of Massachusetts ' 
l!y governor Hernard ? 



AFFAIR OF THE SLOOP LIBERTY. 177 

semblies of Maryland. New York, Delaware, Virginia, and 
Georgia expressed their sentiments respecting Lord Hillsbo- 
roiigli's letter in decided language. 

In the mean time, Lord Chatham had retired from office, 
and Lord North was appointed chancellor of the exchequer. 
A new office was created — that of secretary of state for the 
colonies, to which Lord Hillsborough was appointed. This 
circumstance shows the importance attached to colonial affairs 
by the British government. 

The colonists were adopting various measures of their own, 
for procuring a redress of grievances. Finding their peti- 
tions and remonstrances to the king and parliament disre- 
garded, they had recourse to the old measure of combining 
in a determination not to import British goods ; a measure 
highly injurious to the interests of the commercial class of 
the mother country. Boston, as usual, took the lead ; and 
in one of those famous town meetings which have given to 
Fanueil Hall the name of the ' Cradle of Liberty,' it was 
resolved to encourage domestic manufactures, and to pur- 
chase no articles of foreign growth or manufacture but such 
as were absolutely indispensable. New York and Philadel- 
phia followed the example, and, in a short time, the mer- 
chants themselves formed associations to import nothing from 
Great Britain but articles that necessity required. 

The board of commissioners of customs, appointed by the 
late act of parliament, entered upon the duties of their office 
at Boston. From the excitement existing at that place, a 
collision between them and the people was daily expected. 
This was soon brought on by the seizure of Mr. Hancock's 
sloop Liberty, for a violation of the revenue laws. John 
Hancock, though a merchant of great wealth, was attached to 
the popular cause ; and this circumstance, together with the 
hatred entertained for the revenue collectors, served to height- 
en their indignation on this occasion. Supposing that the 
sloop would not be safe at the whaif in their custody, the 
custom house officers had solicited aid from a ship of war 
lying in the harbour, and the sloop was cut from her fasten- 
ing and brought under the guns of the ship. It was to pre- 
vent this removal that the mob had collected. Many of the 
officers were wounded in the scuffle, and tlie multitude, being 
baffled in their attempts to retain the sloop at the wharf, re- 



What was done by the other colo- I What measures were adopted by the 

nies ? I colonists > 

What changes took place in the Bri- I What was done in Boston ? 

tish ministry ? | Relate the affair of the sloop Liberty. 



178 



BRITISH TROOPS Ii\ BOSTON. 



paired to the houses of the collector and other officers of the 
customs, where they committed acts of violence and injury 
to their property. This riotous disposition lasting for seve- 
ral days, the commissioners of customs applied for protec- 
tion to the governor, but not being able to protect them, he 
advised them to remove from Boston ; they consequently 
retired, first on board the Komney man-of-war, and after- 
wards to Castle William. 

The rioters were prosecuted ; but the prosecutions could 
not be successfully carried on, in consequence of the public 
excitement. About this time, some seamen were impressed 
in Boston, by order of the officers of the Romney. A town 
meeting being called in consequence of this aggression, a 
petition, full of complaints of repeated outrages, and praying 
for redress, was sent to the governor. The general court of 
Massachusetts having been dissolved by governor Bernard, 
who refused to convene it again wiiliout the king's command, 
a convention was assembled at Boston, composed of delegates 
from the several towns in the colony, to deliberate on consti- 
tutional measures of redress. They disclaimed legislative 
authority, but petitioned the governor to assemble the gene- 
ral court, professed their loyalty, wrote to the agent of the 
province in England, stating the character in which they 
met; and, after recommending patience and order to the 
people, dissolved the session. 

The day before the convention rose, two regiments, which 
had been detached by General Gage, arrived under convoy at 
Nantasliet road. Next day, the fleet was brought to anchor 
near Castle William. Having taken a station which com- 
manded the town, the ships liaving their broad:si(les towards 
it, the troops landed, to tlie number of seven hundred men, 
and marched, M'ith loaded muskcls and fixed bayonets, mar- 
tial music, and the usual military parade, to the common. 
In the evening, the selectmen of Boston were ordered to 
quarter the two regiments in the town ; but they absolutely 
refused. A temporary shelter was permitted, however, to 
one regiment, without its camp equipage, in Fanueil Hall. 
The next day, the state house was opened for the soldiers by 
order of the governor, and two field pieces, with the main 
guard, were stationed just in its front. 

This was regarded by the people as a peculiar outrage. 



Of the town Ttiocting. 
Of the convention. 

How many regiments of British tioops 
now anivctl in 13ostoii .' 



Hosriibe the hinding. 

Tlieir reception. 

Where were they quartered .' 



PROCEEDINGS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



179 - 



The very temple of liberty was profaned by the presence of 
armed soldiers. The council chamber having been reserved, 
the members of that body were compelled to pass guards of 
soldiery in order to reach their place of meeting. The 
common was covered with tents. Soldiers were constantly 
marching through the streets ; and sentinels challenged the 
inhabitants as they passed. The Sabbath was profaned, and 
the devotion of the sanctuary disturbed by the sound of mar- 
tial mupic. The place had all the appearance of a garrisoned 
town. The people felt the insult, but were by no means 
intimidated ; and when a requisition was made for barracks 
for the troops, the council declined to furnish them, lest, by 
so doing, they might seem to adopt a measure of submission. 
In a few weeks, a fresh reinforcement of troops arrived, 
under Colonels Mackay and Pomeroy. 

Parliament, meantime, resolved to persevere in the system 
of coercion, and united in an address to the king, expressing 
their satisfaction at the measures which he had pursued, 
giving assurance of their support, and beseeching him to 
direct the governor of Massachusetts to institute an inquiry 
into all acts of treason committed in that colony since 1767, 
and to send the ofTenders to England for trial. 

Nothing could have been done more eflectually to irritate 
the people tlian this resolution. The general court of Mas- 
sachusetts was not in session when it reached America ; but 
the house of burgesses of Virginia passed resolutions, asserting 
the exclusive right of taxing the colony and the right of trial 
by jury in the vicinage ; and ordered their speaker to trans- 
mit copies of the resolutions to the other colonies. An ad- 
dress to the king, of the usual tenor, was also voted. The 
governor, on learning the character of these proceedings, dis- 
solved the assembl}^. This measure only inflamed the spi- 
rit of opposition ; the assembly was immediately convened 
at a private house, and unanimously resolved on agreements 
not to import British goods, similar to those which had been 
entered into at the north. 

The general court of Massachusetts was convened on the 
30th of May, 1769 ; and, after some altercation with the go- 
vernor concerning the subjects of legislation, it was removed 



Why did the people resent this ? 
What annoyed them ? 
What was done by parliament ? 
How was the news received in Ame- 
rica ? 
What %vas done in Virginia ? 



What did the governor do ? 

What was then done by the assem- 
bly ? 

By the general court of Massachu- 
setts ? 



180 



BOSTON MASSACRE. 



to Cambridge. On the 6th of July, the governor made a 
requisition for funds to defray the expenses of the troops in 
Boston, which was decisively refused ; and resolutions were 
passed, at tlie same time, recommending assemblies of the 
people, in the several towns, to petition for redress of griev- 
ances and declaration of rights. Tiie governor then pro- 
rogued the general court, to meet at Boston on the 10th of 
January. 

On the first of August, governor Bernard was recalled, 
leaving the administration of the province in the hands of 
lieutenant governor Hutchinson. The people, on his de- 
parture, manifested their joy by ringing the bells, firing guns, 
covering their liberty tree with flags, and kindling a great 
bonfire on Fort Hill. 

In 1770, Lord North was appointed premier. His first 
measure was partly conciliatory : it was a repeal of the port 
duties ; but with the exception of the duty on tea. This 
left the assertion of the right of taxation in full force, and, 
of course, was wholly unsatisfactory to the colonists. 

The presence of tlie military in Boston, too, still served to 
keep alive the animosity of the people, wlio were constantly 
brought in unpleasant collision with these unwelcome and 
uninvited guests. On the evening of the Slli of March, 1770, 
an alTray took place in King-street, now called State-street, in 
which a small detachment of soldiers, under the command of 
Captain Preston, after being assaulted with snow balls and 
other missiles, and one of them struck with a club, fired upon 
the populace, killing three men, mortally wounding two, and 
slightly wounding several others. 

The drums were instantly heard beating to arms ; thou- 
sands of the people assembled, and seeing the dead bodies of 
their fellow citizens who had fallen in the cause of liberty, 
they resolved on a general attack upon the soldiery. The 
lieutenant governor being sent for, addressed the people from 
the balcony of the state house, and at length prevailed upon 
them peaceably to disperse. Tiie next day. Captain Preston 
and his party of soldiers were committed to- prison, to await 
the course of law ; and the troops were all withdrawn from 
the town to Castle William. 



By the governor ? 

By the general court, in consequence 
of the governor's requisition ? 

VV'hat did the governor then do r" 

When was tlic governor recalled ? 

Who was left to administer the go- 
vernment ? 



What was done by the people .' 
Who was appointed premier in 1770 ? 
What was Iiis fust act ? 
Why was it unsatisfactory .' 
What took place on the 5th of March, 

1770 ■> 
What was done next day ? 



AFFAIR OF THE GASPEE. 181 

Those who had fallen in this affair, were honoured with a 
public funeral of great pomp and solemnity. The shops 
were closed; the bells of Boston, and the neighbouring 
towns, were tolled ; and an immense number of citizens fol- 
lowed the first martyrs of the opening revolution to their final 
resting place. 

Captain Preston and his soldiers were brought to trial some 
time after. Six weeks were spent in examining witnesses 
and hearing counsel ; and John Adams and Josiah Quincy, 
who were distinguished leaders of the popular party, exerted 
themselves with great ability in defence of the accused. The 
captain and six of the men were acquitted ; and two were 
brought in guilty of manslaughter. This result was highly 
honourable to the distinguished counsel and to the impartial 
tribunal of the colony. 

The occurrences of 1771, were not important. Hutchin- 
son, the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, was appointed 
governor; and used his prerogative of adjourning the general 
court from Boston to Cambridge and Salem, in spite of the 
remonstrances of the members. 

In 1772, a bold act of hostility was committed in Rhode 
Island, which greatly exasperated the British ministry. Lieu- 
tenant Doddington, who commanded the revenue schooner 
Gaspee, had become very obnoxious to the people of that 
colony, by his extraordinary zeal in the execution of the 
revenue laws. On the 9th of June, the Providence packet 
was sailing into the harbour of Newport, and Lieutenant 
Doddington thought proper to require the captain to lower 
his colours. This being refused, as degrading, the Gaspee 
fired at the packet, to bring her to : the American captain, 
however, still holding his course and keeping in shoal water, 
contrived to run the schooner aground in the chase. As the 
tide was ebbing, the Gaspee was set fast for the night, during 
which, a number of fishermen, aided by some of the most 
respectable inhabitants of Providence, manned some boats 
and boarded the Gaspee. The lieutenant was wounded in 
the affray ; but, with every thing belonging to him, he and 
his crew were carefully conveyed on shore. The vessel, with 
her stores, was then burnt, and the party returned home. A 
reward of five hundred pounds, offered by the governor, and 
every exertion to discover the perpetrators of this bold action, 



Describe the funeral. 
What is said of the trial ? 
What was done in 1771 ? 



Relate the affair of the schooner 

Gaspee. 
Were the actors in this affair punish- 
ed ? 
16 



182 



Hutchinson's letters. 



were ineflcctual. The people were banded together by a 
principle of resistance to tyranny which neither threats nor 
promises could shake. 

Committees of correspondence were this year organised 
in the several towns of Massachusetts, for the purpose of 
securing concert of action, in their measures of opposition, 
and, in 177.3, at the suggestion of the house of burgesses of 
Virginia, standing committees were appointed by the differ- 
ent colonial assemblies ; and by this means a confidential 
communication and interchange of opinions was kept up 
between the colonies. 

Lord Dartmouth, who was supposed to entertain favourable 
views towards the colonies, having succeeded Lord Hillsbo- 
rough, as secretary of state for the colonies, the legislature 
of Massachusetts addressed a letter to him, expressing a 
desire for complete reconciliation. This, however, was in- 
effectual. Neither the British cabinet, nor the nation, was 
disposed to recede from the ground they had taken. 

About this time a discovery was made, which caused a 
great deal of excitement in New England. Doctor Franklin, 
the agent of Massachusetts in England, obtained possession 
of tlie letters which had been addressed by Governor Hutch- 
inson and Lieutenant Governor Oliver, to the department of 
state, and sent them to the general court. They were evi- 
dently designed to induce the ministry to persist in their 
oppressive measures. They represented the patriots as a 
mere faction, who were not countenanced by the mass of the 
people, and who were emboldened I)y tlie weakness of the 
means used to restrain them. More vigorous measures were 
recommended ; and, among the rest, a plan for altering 
the charters of the colonies, and making the high officers 
dependent solely on the crown for their salaries. 

The assembly passed a vote of censure on the writers of 
these letters; and petitioned the king to remove them for ever 
from the government of the colony. This petition was disap- 
proved ; but Hutchinson was soon after removed, and General 
Gage appointed to succeed him. 

The effect of this disclosure of the treachery of Hutchinson 
and Oliver, was electrifying. The passions of the people 



What was done in Massachusetts ? 
In Virginia ? 

Who succeeded Lord Hillsborough ? 
What followed ? 

What discovery was made by Dr. 
Krauklin > 



What was done by the assembly .' 
What followed ? 

What was the elTect of this disclo- 
sure ? 
What is said of the people ? 



DESTRUCTION OF THE TEA AT BOSTON. 



183 



were inflamed by it to the highest pitch ; and their expecta- 
tion of a better understanding with the government, was 
greatly diminished by the conviction that traitors among them 
were engaged in misrepresenting the stale of the country and 
their own dispositions, to the ministry. 

The duties on other importations excepting tea, had been 
removed; and an alteration, corresponding to this change, had 
been made by the colonists in their non-importation agree- 
ments. Tea, therefore, remained the only prohibited article. 
Great quantities of it had accumulated in the warehouses of 
the East India Company ; and, as none was ordered by the 
colonial merchants, it was determined to send it over on con- 
signment. The company were allowed to export it from 
England free of duty, so that, although the offensive duty on 
its importation into the colonies still remained, it v/as offered 
at lower prices than in former limes. Confident of finding 
a market at these reduced prices, the company sent large 
cargoes to New York, Philadelphia, Charleston, and Boston. 
The inhabitants of New York and Philadelphia sent the ships 
back to London, 'and they sailed up the Thames, to proclaim 
to all the nation, that New York and Pennsylvania would not 
be enslaved.' Tlie people of Charleston unloaded the tea, 
and stored it in cellars, where it perished. 

The Boston people disposed of the article in a more sum- 
mary way. Before the vessels arrived with it, a town meet- 
ing was held to devise measures for preventing the landing 
and sale of the tea. The agreement not to use it was re- 
newed ; and a committee was chosen to request the con- 
signees not to unlade or sell it. They referred the matter to 
the merchants who were to take charge of it ; but received 
for answer, that they could make no promises, because they 
had received no orders on the subject. When the tea arrived, 
another meeting was called, ' to make a united and success- 
ful resistance to this last and worst measure of the adminis- 
tration.' People came in from the adjoining towns in such 
numbers, that it was found necessary to adjourn the meeting 
from Fanueil Hall, to a large church. Here it was voted to 
use all lawful means to prevent the landing of the tea and to 
procure its return to England, After several days spent ia 



What is said concerning the duty on 

tea ? 
What was done by the East India 

company ? 
What was done with the tea ships in 

New York and Philadelphia ? 



In Charleston ? 

What was done in Boston before the 

arrival of the tea ships ? 
On their arrival ? 
What was done at the meeting of the 

people ? 



184 



BOSTON PORT BILL. 



negotiations, the consignees refusing to return it, and the 
governor to order a pass to be given lor the vessels to sail, a 
number of men, disguised as INlohawk Indians, proceeded to 
the vessels lying at the wharf with the tea on board, raised 
the hatches, took out the chests, and after breaking them 
open, quietly emptied their whole contents into the dock. 
'J'he number of men concerned in this business was about 
fifty ; but for many years afterwards it was not known who 
they were. This was the most cool and determined defiance 
of the government which had yet been hazarded. The crisis, 
which it tended to bring about, appears to have been appre- 
hended and deliberately met. Josiah Quincy, jr., a leading 
statesman of the time, warned the citizens, in town meeting, 
' that the spirit then displayed and the sentiments then 
avowed should be such as they should be ready to approve 
and maintain at any future day. For to retreat from the 
ground tliey should then take, would bring disgrace on them- 
selves, and ruin on the country.' He by no means over- 
rated the importance of the position at that time assumed. 

The intelligence of this proceeding excited a great sensation 
in England. It was communicated to parliament, in a mes- 
sage from the crown ; and excited strong indignation against 
the colonies. Both houses expressed their approbation of 
the king's measures, and promised their support in maintain- 
ing his authority. A bill was brought in for discontinuing 
the lading and shipping of goods, wares, and merchandise at 
Boston, or the harbour thereof, and for the removal of the 
custom house, with its dependencies, to the town of Salem. 
This bill was to continue in force, not only until compensation 
should be made to the East India company for the damage 
sustained, but until the king should declare himself satisfied, 
as to the restoration of peace and good order in Boston. It 
passed almost without opposition. 

This was followed by another bill, subverting the cliarter 
of Massachusetts, and vesting in the crown the appointment 
of the councillors, magistrates, and other officers of the colo- 
ny, to hold ofilce during tlie king's pleasure. 

Next followed a bill for transj)orting persons accused of 
sedition, treason, &c., to some other colony, or to England 
for trial. After this came the ' Quebec bill,' extending the 
territory of Canada so as to inchide Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, 



Wtiat was said by Quincy ? 
How was the news received in Eng- 
land ? 



What bill was passed in consc- 

([ucnce P 
What other bills were passed ? 



MEASURES OF OPPOSITION. 



166 



and Michigan, and vesting the government of that province in 
a legislative council appointed by the crown. 

The measures of hostility towards Massachusetts were 
intended to break the union of the colonies, and detach the 
others from her. But it had a directly opposite effect. The 
other colonies were unanimously determined not to desert 
their champion in the hour of peril ; and the union was firmly 
cemented by the very measures intended to efTect its dissolu- 
tion. 

When the intelligence of the Boston Port Bill reached that 
place, a town meeting was called, in which the unconquerable 
spirit of the inhabitants was clearly manifested. They passed 
resolutions expressing their opinion of the impolicy, injustice, 
and inhumanity of the act, from which they appealed to God 
and to the world; and inviting the other colonies to join them 
in an agreement to stop all imports and exports to and from 
Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, until the act 
should be repealed. 

The same spirit was manifested throughout the country. 
Addresses were sent to the Bostonians from every part of the 
country, expressing sympathy in their alllictions, exhorting 
them to persevere in their course, and assuring them that 
they were regarded as suffering in the common cause. A day 
of fasting, prayer, and humiliation was appointed in all the 
colonies, and a general congress of deputies from each was 
proposed. About the same time. General Gage arrived in 
Boston to assume the government of the province. 

The general court, convened by the governor at Salem, 
appointed delegates for the congress ; and the other colonies 
followed their example. The legislature of Massachusetts 
also passed resolutions, recommending to the people to re- 
nounce the consumption of tea and all kinds of British goods 
until the grievances of the colonies should be redressed. The 
governor, learning how the house was employed, sent his 
secretary to dissolve the assembly; but he was refused ad- 
mittance, and read the order of dissolution aloud on the stair- 
case. Next day the people of Salem sent an address to the 
governor, spurning the offers of advantages made to them at 
the expense of Boston. 



What was the object of the measures 
of hostility against Massachusetts ? 

What was their effect } 

What was done in Boston on receiv- 
ing intelligence of the Boston Port 
Bill !> 



16^ 



What was done in other parts of the 

country ? 
Who assumed the government of 

Massachusetts ? 
What was done by the general court ? 
By the governor ? 



186 



PROCEEPINOS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 



Rough drafts of the hiws, subverting the charier of Massa- 
chusetts, were now received ; and, by way of reply, the 
committee of correspondence in Boston framed an agreement, 
entitled ' a solemn league and covenant,' to suspend all com- 
mercial intercourse with Great Britain, and all consumption 
of its products until the oppressive laws should be repealed ; 
and threatening to publish the names of all who refused to 
conform to this agreement. 

General Gage issued a proclamation denouncing this act, 
and threatening punishment; but his threats were disregarded. 

On the 4th of September, 1774, the continental congress 
assembled at Philadelphia. Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, 
was chosen president, and Charles Thompson secretary. It 
was then determined that each colony should have one vote ; 
and that their proceedings, except such as they might deter- 
mine to publish, should be kept secret. 

Resolutions were passed approving the conduct of the peo- 
ple of Massachusetts in resisting the encroacliments of arbi- 
trary power, 'and trusting that tlie effect of the united efforts 
of North America in their behalf, would carry such conviction 
to the British nation of tlie unwise, unjust, and ruinous policy 
of the present administration, as quickly to introduce belter 
men, and wiser measures.' Contributions from all the colo- 
nies, for supplying tlie necessities, and relieving the distresses 
of the Boston people, were also resolved on. Resolutions 
against the importation and use of British goods, and forbid- 
ding exports to Great Britain, Ireland, and tlie West Indies, 
were also passed ; and, notwithstanding their want of legal 
sanction, they w^ere strictly obeyed by the people. 

A Declaration of Rights was also voted, stating the precise 
ground taken by tlis colonies, in the contest; and assertinil 
rights which had not been maintained at its commencement. 

The congress also voted several addresses: one to the 
people of Great Britain ; another to the inhabitants of Canada ; 
and a third to the American people ; and a petition to the 
king. The slate papers, emanating from this congress, have 
been pronounced, by competent authority, to be master pieces 
of political wisdom, dignity, and moral courage. 'J'he Earl 



What was done ivlirn tho roiiirli drafts 
of tho liiws, sul)V(Mtiiii; tho charter 
of IMassarhtisctts, were received ? 

What was d(»ne hy the governor ? 

^\'ere his threats regarded ? 

When dill the first continental con- 
gress assemble i" 

^V ho were the officers ? 



What resolutions were passed ? 

For what purpose were contributions 

resolved on ? 
Wliat otlier resolutions were passed ? 
What was stated in the Declaration 

of Rights > 
To whom were addresses voted ? 
What is said of these state papers ? 



PROCEEDINGS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



187 



of Chatham compared them with the celebrated writings of 
Greece and Rome of a similar character, and gave them the 
preference. Thry were read and admired in every part of 
Europe ; and enlisted the friends of liberty throughout the 
civilised world, in the cause of American liberty. 

In America they were received with more intense interest; 
and their immediate effect was to rouse every friend of the 
common cause to exertion. The whole country resounded 
with the din of martial preparation. Companies of volunteers 
"were organised in every city and village. Munitions of war 
were treasured up and concealed from the eyes of tlie myrmi- 
dons of government ; contributions of money, ammunition, 
and provisions were cheerfully made, and persons of every 
age and rank were roused into the liveliest enthusiasm in the 
sacred cause of liberty. 

When General Gage attempted to introduce tlie new system 
of government in Massachusetts, he found himself unable to 
effect his object. The new councillors, appointed by the 
crown, were compelled to resign their offices, by threats of 
popular violence ; and the judicial proceedings were prevented 
by the crowd of people, who tilled the court-house, and de- 
clared their determination to submit to none but the ancient 
laws and usages of the country. 

Gage, upon this demonstration of popular feeling, raised 
fortifications on Boston Neck ; and, seizing the ammunition 
and stores, contained in the provincial arsenal and magazines, 
at Cambridge and Charlestown, conveyed them to Boston. 
The people were with difficulty restrained from attempting 
their recovery by force ; and in New Hampshire and Rhode 
Island the powder, belonging to the government, was seized 
by the people. 

In the mean time, the parliament of Great Britain was ap- 
prised of the proceedings of the colonists ; and severe censure 
was passed upon them in the king's speech and the addresses 
in answer to him. Lord Ciratham, then in the decline of life, 
after demonstrating the impossibility of subjugating America, 
brought forward a bill for composing all difficulties and dis- 
putes, which was promptly and decisively rejected. A bill 
was then passed for restraining the trade and commerce of the 



How were they received in America ? 

What was done by the people ? 

In what manner was General Gage 

opposed in Massachusetts ? 
What measures did he consequently 

adopt i" 



What seizures were made in Rhode 

Island and New Hampshire ? 
What was done by parliament ? 
By Lord Chatham ? 
What bill was then passed ? 



188 



APPROACH OF WAR. 



New England provinces, and prohibiting them from carrying 
on the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland. While this 
bill was pending, Lord North suddenly brought forward what 
he considered a conciliatory measure. It proposed, that par- 
liament should forbear to tax any colony, which should tax 
itself in such a sum as would be perfectly satisfactory. Its 
obvious design to separate the colonies from each other, caused 
it to be received by tliem with universal scorn and derision. 

AVhen the bill restraining the trade of New England had 
passed, information was received, that the middle and southern 
colonies were supporting their northern friends in every mea- 
sure of opposition. In consequence of this intelligence, the 
same restrictions were extended, by a second bill, to New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, 
and Delaware. New York and North Carolina escaped, on 
the ground of their supposed dissent from the opposition. 

The reception of these laws in America seems to have con- 
vinced the people that there was no hope of redress by peace- 
ful or constitutional measures. Their addresses, remon- 
strances, and petitions, had been treated with contempt; and 
when they had hoped for a considerate hearing of their de- 
fence, they had only received a fresh accumulation of wrongs 
and insults. All now looked forward to a fearful contest. 
The terrible calm that precedes a storm, settled darkly over 
the continent, and thunders of vengeance muttered in the dis- 
tance. The crisis was at hand. ' 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

It seems to have been the determination of the people of 
New England, that whenever actual hostilities should com- 
incnce, the royal party should be the aggressors. With their 
habitual reverence for law and justice, they resolved to place 
their adversaries in the wrong, and to keep the right on their 



What liill iv:is Lrouylit forward by 

Lord Noi th J" 
How was it received in America ? 
'I'o wliat states were the commercial 

restrictions extended ? 



What states escaped, and on what 

ground ? 
What was the cfTect of the reception 

of these laws in America ? 
Wliat was the deterniiiiatinn of the 

people of New England ? 



AFFAIR AT LEXINGTON. 




Fiijlil at Concord Bridge. 

own side. It was equally their determination to repel with 
firmness the first hostile attack which should be made. An 
occasion was soon furnished in which these principles of 
action were put to the test. 

On the evening preceding the 19tli of April, 1775. Oeneral 
Gage detached Lieutenant Colonel Smith and M;ijor I'itcairn, 
with 800 grenadiers and light infantry, to destroy some mili- 
tary stores which had been collected at Concoid, about 18 
miles from Boston. Information of this movement was sent 
into the country by Dr. Warren, and the whole surrounding 
region was soon in arms, and marching, in small parties, 
towards the scene of action. 

When the British troops reached Lexington, about five 
o'clock in the morning, a small body of militia was paraded 
in front of the meeting house. Major Pitcairn, who led the 
van, rode up, calling out, ' Disperse, rebels, disperse.' His 
soldiers rushed forward, with loud huzzas, and commenced a 
scattering fire. This was soon followed by a general dis- 
charge, which continued until the militia retreated. Eight 
men were killed and a considerable number wounded. The 
main body now proceeded to Concord and destroyed the 
stores. 

The subsequent events of the day are thus described by 
Mr. Everett.* 

' On arriving at Concord, it was the first care of the British 
commander to cut off the approach of the Americans from the 



For wtiat purpose were British troops I Wliat took place at Lexington ? 
sent to Concord ? \ 

* 'Oration delivered at the Anniversary of the Battle of Concord.'. 



190 FIGHT AT CONCORD BRI0OK. 

neighbouring towns, by destroying or occupying the bridges. 
A party was immediately sent to the south bridge, and tore 
it up. A force of six companies, under Captain Parsons and 
Lowrie, was sent to the north bridge. Three companies 
under Captain Lowrie were left to guard it, and three under 
Captain Parsons proceeded to Colonel Barrett's house, in 
search of provincial stores. While they were engaged on 
that errand, the militia of Concord, joined by their brave 
brethren from the neighbouring towns, gathered on the hill 
opposite the north bridge, under the command of Colonel 
Robinson and Major Buttrick. The British companies at 
the bridge v/ere now apparently bewildered witli the perils 
of their situation, and began to tear up the planks of the 
brido^e ; not remembering that this would expose their own 
party, then at Colonel Barrett's, to certain and entire de- 
struction. 

' The Americans, on the other hand, resolved to keep open 
the communication with the town, and perceiving the attempt 
which was made to destroy the bridge, were immediately put 
in motion, with orders not to give the first fire. They draw 
near to the bri !;.n% the Acton company in front, led on by the 
gallant Davis. Three alarm guns were fired into the water, 
by the British, without arresting the march of our citizens. 
The signal for a general discharge is then made ; — a British 
soldier steps from the ranks and fires at Major Buttrick. 
Tlie ball passed between his arm and his side, and slightly 
M'ounded Mr. Luther Blanchard, who stood near him. A 
volley instandy followed, and Captain Davis was shot through 
the heart, gallantly marching at the head of the Acton militia 
against the choice troops of the British line. A private of 
his company, Mr. Hosmer of Acton, also fell at his side. 

' A general action now ensued, which terminated in the 
retreat of the British party, after the loss of several killed 
and wounded, toward the centre of the town, followed by 
the brave band, who had driven them from their post. The 
advance parly of British at Colonel Barrett's, was thus left 
to its fate ; and nothing would have been more easy than to 
cfl'ect its entire destruction. But the idea of a declared war 
had yet scarcely forced itself, with all its consequences, into 
the minds of our countrymen ; and these advanced compa- 
nies were allowed to return unmolested to the main band. 



Wh:it took place on the arrival of the 

Uritish troops at Concord ^ 
Where did the militia assemble ? 
What took place at the bridge ? 



What was the result of the general 

action ? 
Who were now compelled to fly ? 



RETREAT OF THE BRITISH. 191 

'It was now twelve hours since the first alarm had been 
given, the evening before, of the meditated expedition. The 
swift watches of that eventful night had scattered the tidings 
far and wide; and widely, as they spread, the people rose in 
their strength. The genius of America, on this the morning 
of her emancipation, had sounded her horn over the plains 
and upon the mountains ; and the indignant yeomanry of the 
land, armed with the weapons which had done service in 
their fathers' hands, poured to the spot where this new and 
strange tragedy was acting. The old New England drums, 
that had beat at Louisbourg, at Quebec, at Martinique, at 
the Havanna, were now sounding on all the roads to Concord. 
There were officers in the British line that knew the sound ; 
they had heard it in the deadly breach, beneath the black, 
deep-throated engines of the French and Spanish castles. 

' With the British it was a question no longer of protracted 
hostility, nor even of halting long enough to rest their ex- 
hausted troops, after a weary night's march, and all the 
labour, confusion, and distress of the day's efforts. Their 
dead were hastily buried in tiie public square ; their wounded 
placed in the vehicles which the town aflorded ; and a flight 
commenced, to which the annals of British warfare will 
hardly afford a parallel. 

' On all the neighbouring hills, w^ere multitudes from the 
surrounding country, of the unarmed and infirm, of women 
and of children, who had fled from the terrors and the perils 
of the plunder and conflagration of their homes ; or were 
collected, with fearful curiosity, to mark the progress of this 
storm of war. The panic fears of a calamitous flight, on the 
part of the British, transformed this inoffensive, timid throng 
into a threatening array of armed men ; and there was too 
much reason for the misconception. Every height of ground, 
within reach of the line of march, was covered with the in- 
dignant avengers of their slaughtered brethren. The British 
light companies were sent out to great distances as flanking 
parties ; but who was to flank the flankers ? Every patch 
of trees, every rock, every stream of water, every building, 
every stone wall, was lined, (I use the words of a British 
ofhcer in the battle.) was lined with an unintermitted fire. 

' Before the flying troops had reached Lexington, their 
rout was entire. An English historian says, the British 
soldiers were driven before the Americans like sheep, till, by 
a last desperate effort, the officers succeeded in forcing their 



What heightened their alarm ? | Describe the retreat. 



192 



THE BRITISH REINFORCED. 



way lo the front, " wlien they presented their swords and ba};,- 
onets ai^ainst the breasts of iheir own men, and told Uiem if 
they advanced they should die." Upon this, they began to 
form, under what tlie same British ofhcer pronounces " a 
very heavy fire," wliich must soon have led to the destruc- 
tion or capture of the whole corps. 

' At this critical moment, it pleased Providence that a rein- 
forcement should arrive. Colonel Smith had sent back a 
messenger from Lexington to apprise General Gage of the 
check he had there received, and of the alarm which was 
running tlirough the country. Three regiments of infantry, 
and two divisions of marines, with two fieldpieces, under 
the command of Brigadier General Lord Percy, were accord- 
ingly detached. 'I'hey marched out of Boston, through Rox- 
bury and Cambridge, and came up with the flying party in 
the hour of their extreme peril. AYhile their fieldpieces kept 
the Americans at bay, the reinforcement drew up in a hollow 
square, into which, says the British historian, they received 
the exhausted fugitives, " who lay down on the ground, with 
their tongues hanging from their mouths, like dogs after a 
chase." 

' A half an hour was given to rest ; the march was then 
resumed ; and, under cover of the fieldpieces, every house in 
Lexington, and on tlie road downwards, was plundered and 
set on fire. Though the flames in most cases were speedily 
extinguished, several houses were destroyed. Notwiilistand- 
ing the attention of a great part of the Americans was thus 
drawn oil", and altlioiigh the British force was now more than 
doubled, their retreat still wore the aspect of a flight. The 
Americans filled the heights that overhnng the road, and at 
every defile the struggle was sharp and bloody. At West 
Cambridge the gallant Warren, never distant when danger 
was to be braved, appeared in the field, and a musket ball 
soon cut off a lock of hair from his temple. General Heath 
was with him, nor does there appear, till this moment, to 
liave I)een any effective command among the American forces. 

' Below West Cambridge, the militia from Dorchester, 
Roxbury, and Brookline came up. 'J'he British fieldpieces 
began to lose their terror. A sharp skirmish followed, and 
many fell on both sides. Indignation and outraged hu- 



\Vh;it rc'iiifiirccmcnt cainc out to re- 

liovc Uk' Hiitish ? 
How did thoy protect them ? 
How soon was the retreat resumed .' 
What town was set on fire ? 



Wliat ofTirrrs jniiioil the Americans 
at West I'amliridfje ?" 

What reinforcements j'lined the Ame- 
ricans below West Cambridge .' 

What followed ? 



BOSTON BESIEGEIT. 193 

manity slrnggled on the one hand, veteran discipline and 
desperation on the other ; and the contest, in more than one 
instance, was man to man, and bayonet to bayonet. 

' The British oiiicers had been compelled to descend from 
their horses to escape the certain destruction which attended 
their exposed situation. The wounded, to the number «f 
two hundred, now presented the most distressing and con- 
slMnlly increasing obstruction to the progress of the march. 
Near one hundred brave men had fallen in this disastrous 
flight; a considerable number had been made prisoners; a 
round or two of ammunition only remained ; and it was not. 
till late in the evening, nearly twenty-four liours from the 
time when the first detachment was put in motion, that the 
exhausted remnant reached the heights of Charlestown. The 
boats of the vessels of war were immediately employed to 
transport the wounded; the remaining British troops in Bos- 
ton came over to Charlestown to protect their weary coun- 
trymen during the night ; and, before the close of the next 
day, the royal army w^as formally besieged in Boston.' 

This, the first battle of the revolution, was important, not 
only on account of its placing the parties in an attitude of 
open hostility, but also from its moral influence on the spirit 
and subsequent proceedings of the colonists. It fully demon- 
strated the efficiency of the provincial troops, when acting" 
against regulars, and the fatal precision of their marksmen. 
It secured the position which they had been so anxious to 
take in the outset, as the party aggrieved and attacked, act- 
ing entirely on the defensive. They had been careful not to 
give the first fire at Concord, even after the afl^air at Lexing- 
ton, so anxious were the leaders to cover their proceedings 
with the letter of the law. The provincial congress even 
took pains to send letters and depositions to their agents in 
England, establishing this point. 

Having thus entrenched their position with law and jus- 
tice, the congress prepared to defend it with the whole avail- 
able force of the country. They immediately passed reso- 
lutions for raising an army of 30,000 men in New England. 
A considerable part of these levies was soon added to the 
besieging army which surrounded Boston ; and General Gage 
became seriously alarmed for the safety of his garrison. 

Meantime a small force was raised in Connecticut, and 



How did the affair terminate ? I What was done by congress ? 

Why was this battle important ? | What is said of Gage ? 

17 



lt)4 



CAPTURE OF TICONDEROOA AND CROWN POINT. 



marched to Casllelon, where they were met by Colonels 
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, with an additional force; 
and, under their command, proceeded towards the fortress of 
Ticonderoga. They reached Lake Chaniplain in the night 
of the 9th of ]May. With a detachment of 83 men, Allen- 
ami Arnold crossed the lake, and succeeded in snrpri.sing and 
capturing the fort without firing a gun. Colonel Warren was 
then sent off witli a small party, and took possession of 
Crown Point, which was garrisoned only by a sergeant and 
twelve men. At both these places a considerable amount of 
cannon and military stores were tak6n. 

To gain possession of the lakes, it was now necessary to 
capture a sloop of war lying at St. Johns. This service was 
effected by Arnold, who manned a schooner found in South 
Bay, surprised the sloop, and gained possession of her with- 
out any difficulty. 

When intelligence of these important acquisitions was 
received in congress, that body passed resolutions which 
were designed to show that the measure was one of self- 
defence, inasmuch as it had been intended by the British to 
make use of these posts in an invasion of the colonies, by 
regulars and Indians, from Canada. 

While these events were passing, Generals Howe, Bur- 
goyne, and Clinton arrived at Boston ; and, soon after, Gene- 
ral Gage sent forth a proclamation, declaring martial law to 
l>e in force ; and offering pardon to all who would submit to 
the king, excepting Samuel Adams and John Hancock. 

In Virginia, the royal governor. Lord Dnnmore, seized 
some powder belonging to the colony, and conveyed it on 
board an armed vessel, lying in the harbour of Williamsburg. 
The irritation caused by tliis measure was so great, that the 
governor was soon compelled to retire and take refuge on 
board the Fowey man-of-war; and thus terminated for ever 
the royal government in that colony. A similar result took 
place in South Carolina, in consequence of the royal governor 
being detected in tampering with the Indians. In North 
Carolina, also, tlie governor, having made hostile prepara- 
tions, was compelled to seek safety on board a sloop of war 



Describe the taking of Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point. 

What was now done by Arnold ? 

Wliat by congress on receiving intel- 
ligence of these captures P 

Who now arrived in Boston ? 



What was proclaimed by General 

Gage ? 
What took place in Virginia ,' 
In South Carolina ? 
In North Carolina ? 



WASHlXGXaN COMMANDER IN CHIEF. 



195 



in Cape Fear river. The other colonies were thus rapidly 
assuming a position not less warlike than that of New Eng- 
land. 

Oil the 10th of May, the continental congress assembled at 
Philadelphia. Addresses were voted to the inhabitants of 
Great Britain, to the people of Canada, and to the assembly 
of Jamaica, and a second petition to the king. Congress next 
voted that 20,000 men sliould be immediately equipped, and 
proeceedd to organise the higlier departments of the army. 
Geokge Washington, then a delegate from Virginia, was 
unanimously chosen commander in chief; and accepted the 
appointment with his characteristic modesty and dignity. 
Bills of credit were issued for three millions of dollars, to 
defray the expenses of the war, and the United Colonies 
were pledged for their redemption. 

On the 9ih of June, congress liaving received a communi- 
cation from the provincial convention of Massachusetts, com- 
plaining of the difficulties consequent upon their want of a 
regular government, recommended to the colony the organi- 
sation of a provisional government, to remain in force until a 
governor, of his majesty's appointment, should consent to 
govern the colony according to its charter. 

Intelligence respecting the movements of the British army 
in Boston having led to the suspicion that General Gage de- 
signed to penetrate into the country, it was determined to 
fortify Dorchester Neck and Bimker's Hill. A detachment 
of 1,000 men being ordered for the latter service, under the 
commai)d of Colonel Prescott, by some mistake took posses- 
sion of Breed's Hill, an eminence much nearer to Boston than 
Bunker's, and completely commanding the town. Moving 
silently to this point, on tlie evening of the 16th of June, they 
reached it unobserved, and proceeded to throw up an intrench- 
ment of eight rods square, during- the night. At break of day, 
their operations being discovered by the commander of the 
armed ship Lively, then lying in the harbour, a brisk cannon- 
ade from the ship was commenced. A battery of six guns 
was soon after opened upon them from Copp's Hill, in Bos- 
ton, directly opposite Breed's. Undaunted by the constant 
shower of shot and bombs which was poured upon them, the 



Wlipn did congress assomblo nt Phi- 
ladelphia ? 

Whut -addre^sps did thoy vote? 

What rriL-n and money ? 

Who was appointed commandar in 
chief? 



What was done in relation to Massa- 
chusetts ? 

Wliit occasioned the fortifying of 
Breed's Hill ? 

When was it fortified ? 

What took place in -the morning ? 



196 BATTLE OF BREED S HXVL, 

provincial troops laboured indefaligably upon their works, 
until they had extended a breast-work from the east side of 
the redoubt to the bottom of the hill, towards Mystic river. 

General Gage, deeming it absolutely necessary to dislodge 
tlie Americans from this commanding eminence, detached 
Major General Howe, and Brigadier General Pigot, about 
noon, with ten companies of grenadiers, ten of light infantry, 
and a body of artillery, to perform that service. They landed 
at Moreton's Point, but fintUng the Americans did not desert 
their intrenchments, as they had expected, they awaited the 
arrival of a reinforcement from Boston. Meantime the pro- 
vincials also feceived a fresh accession of troops, under tlie 
command of Generals Warren and Pomeroy ; and made a 
further addition to their defences by pulling up some post and 
rail fences, placing them in parallel lines, and filling up the 
intervening space with new mown hay. 

The Britisli troops, being now reinforced, marched to the 
attack in two lines. It was commenced by a heavy discharge 
of field pieces and howitzers, the troops advancing slowly, to 
allow time for the artillery to produce effect on the works. 
While they were advancing, ordei's were given to set fire to 
the village of Charlestown, which was soon enveloped in 
flames. This added, in no small degree, to the terror and 
sublimity of the spectacle, which was contemplated by thou- 
sands of interested spectators, assembled on the surrounding 
heights, and the roofs of buildings in Boston, awaiting ia 
breathless expectation the issue of the contest. 

The Americans permitted the enemy to approach within 
less than one hundred yards of their works, unmolested ; and 
then poured in upon them such a deadly fire of musketry, 
that the British line was broken, and driven towards tlie 
landing place in disorder. The exertions of the officers, in 
rallying the troops, were successful ; and they were again led 
on to the charge. But anotlier equally destructive fire of the 
Americans proved as efl!"ectual as the first; and the troops, a 
second time, retreated in confusion. General Clinton, now 
arriving from Boston, aided General Ilowe, and the other 
oflficers, in restoring order, and the troops were, a thirtl time, 
reluctantly led on to the attack. But the powder of the 



IIow far wore the works extended ? 
What force was sent to dislodge the 

Americans ? 
Under what generals ^ 
After landing, what did they wait for ? 
Who reinforced the Ameiicans ^ 
How did they extend their works ? 



Describe the advance of the enemy. 
What town was burnt ? 
Wl>o were the spectators of the bat- 
tle ? 
Describe the first onset. 
The second. 
The Uiird. 



RESULTS OF THE BATTLE* 



197 




Battle of Breed's Hill. 

Americans was now nearly exhausted ; and some of the British 
cannon had heen hrought into such a position as to ralie the 
inside of the breast-work from end to end. The fire from the 
ships, batteries, and field artillery was redoubled; and, by 
thus attacking it on three sides at once, the British finally 
succeeded in carrying the redoubt at the point of the bayonet. 
The provincials, however, made an obstinate resistance, even 
after a retreat was ordered ; defending themselves with the 
butt end of their muskets, and disputing the ground, inch by 
inch. 

When the redoubt on the hill was lost, the breast-work on 
the left, which had been defgnded with similar firmness 
asfainst the liglU, infantry, was also necessarily abandoned. 
The provincials now retreated over Charlestown Neck, with 
but triflin? loss, although they were raked by the guns of the 
Glasgow man of war, and two floating batteries. 

The British felt tliat this was a victory by no means to be 
boasted of. Tlieir force -was 3.000 men ; and their killed 
and woundr-d amounted to 1,054. Tlie American force was 
but 1,500, and they lost, in killed and wounded, 453. Their 
chief regret was for the loss of General Warren, an ardent 
patriot, and highly popular officer, who fell in the engagement. 

The British kept possession of Breed's Hill, and, after- 
wards, seized and fortified Bunker's ; which secured to them 
the peninsula of Charlestown ; but the provincials, by fortify- 
ing Prospect Hill, held their enemies as closely besieged as 
before. 

The courage displayed in the battle of Breed's Hill raised 



What was the rp<:ult ? 
Wliat wore the force and the loss on 
each side ? 

17 



What events followed the battle ? 
What was its moral elFcct on the 
Americans ? 



198 



SIEGE OF BOSTON. 



the spirits of the colonists, and made them ready to dare any 
dangers. They believed that intrepidity, and dexterity in the 
use of fire arms, would supply their deficiency of discipline. 
But in this they were mistaken ; and subsequent events 
convinced them of the error. 

In JiUy, General Washington took command of the troops 
intrenched round Boston, and proceeded to inspect and review 
them. He found the army, consisting of 14,000 men, ani- 
mated with great zeal, and prepared to follow him in the most 
arduous undertakings ; but he soon discovered that they were 
unacquainted with subordination, and strangers to military 
discipline. Their spirit and courage displayed itself in fre- 
quent skirmishes with the British, which were attended, 
however, with no important result. The Massachusetts 
troops elected their own officers, and regarded them nearly as 
equals ; and the congressional and colonial authorities inter- 
fered with each other. The supply of arms and ammunition 
was scanty, the troops being without bayonets, and having 
but nine rounds apiece of cartridges. 

These difficulties were in a great measure overcome by the 
superior talents and perseverance of Washington. He formed 
the soldiers into brigades and accustomed them to obedience. 
He requested congress to appoint a commissary general, a 
quartermaster general, and a paymaster general ; a number of 
men were instructed in the management of artillery, and the 
army was soon completely organised and fit for service. 

The troops were now regularly encamped round Boston ; 
and occupied a space of ground nearly twelve miles in length. 
The English had strong intrenchments on Bunker's Hill and 
Roxbury Neck ; and were defended by floating batteries in 
the Mystic river, and a ship of war lying between Boston and 
Charlestown. The respective forces being thus disposed, the 
siege of Boston continued until the succeeding spring. 

In consequence of orders from the British ministry to de- 
stroy the sea-ports of the rebellious colonies, four ships, under 
the command of Captain IMowatt, were despatched to Fal- 
mouth, (now Portland,) in Maine, in the month of October; 
and, after offering disgraceful terms of submission to the in- 
habitants, which of course were rejected, he commenced a 
bombardment and speedily reduced the town to ashes. This 



Wlien (lid Washington join the 

army ' 
Tri what pondition did ho find it ' 
How did he remedy its deficiencies ? 



Wliprc were the Americans en- 

rampod ? 
Where were the English forces ? 
Describe the affair of Falmouth. 



BOSTON EVACUATED. 



199 




Washiiigion compelling Uio Brilisli to evacuate Boston. 



unnecessary and cruel act of atrgression only served still fur- 
ther to exasperate the colonies against the mother country. 

In March, 1776, General Washington determined on forcing 
the British to evacuate Boston. Having opened his batteries 
and commenced a brisk cannonade on the opposite side of the 
city, he succeeded in occupying Dorchester Heights, on the 
evening of the 4th, and throwing up a fortification before 
morning. General Howe, who had succeeded General Gage 
in the chief command, on discovering that this position was 
occupied, saw the necessity of dislodging the Americans or 
instantly abandoning tlie place. He prepared for a vigorous 
attack on the works, but was prevented from landing his 
forces, which had embarked in boats, by the occurrence of a 
tremendous storm. Nothing remained, therefore, but to eva- 
cuate the place. 

Tlie British were not annoyed in their retreat, as they 
might thus liave been provoked to burn the town ; a loss 
which it would have required years of profitable industry to 
repair. For tliis, and some other reasons, they were allowed 
to embark at their leisure, and take with them as many of 
the adherents to tlie royal cause, with their effects, as chose 
to accompany them. On the 17th of March, their fleet 
sailed for Hulifiix. The American army, under Washington, 
hastened towards New York, whither they supposed the 
English were gone. 



Whnt was determined bj^ Washington 

in March, 1776 > 
What heights did he occupy ' 
What was done by General Howe ? 



Why were tlie British permitted to 

escape without loss ? 
Whither did the Americans proceed ? 
Wliy ? 



200 



CAPTURE OF FORT ST. JOHN. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA. 



During these transactions in New England, events of some 
importance took place in other parts of America. Congress 
had early directed its attention towards Canada, and endea- 
voured either to gain the co-operation, or secure the neutrality 
of the inhabitants in its dispute with Britain. Addresses had 
been repeatedly sent to them in the French, as well as the 
English language, representing the tendency of the new mea- 
sures of parliament, and these had not been without some 
effect. 'I'he Canadians generally were willing to remain 
neutral in t!ie contest. 

Congress believed them to be partial to their cause, and 
resolved to anticipate the British, by striking a decided blow 
in that quarter. In this purpose they were encouraged by 
the success of the expedition against Crown Point and 'f'icon- 
deroga, as well as by the small number of troops then in Ca- 
nada. They appointed General Schuyler commander of the 
expedition, with General Montgomery to act as second in 
command. Early in September, 1775, these officers, with 
about 1,000 men, made an ineflectual attack on Fort St. John, 
situated on the river Sorel ; but found it expedient to retire to 
Isle-aux-Noix, at the entrance of the lake, about twelve miles 
above the fort, and wait for an increase of their effective force. 

Meanwhile General Schuyler, being taken ill, and return- 
ing to Albany, the command devolved upon General Mont- 
gomer\% who was instructed to prosecute the enterprise on 
receiving reinforcements. These reinforcements soon ar- 
rived; the attack on Fort St. John was renewed; and, after 
a vigorous defence, it surrendered, about the middle of No- 
vember. The Americans found, in the fort, a considerable 
number of brass and iron cannon, howitzers, and mortars, a 
quantity of shot and small shells, about 800 stand of small 
arms, and some naval stores ; but the powder and provisions 
were nearly exhausted. 



How did congress endeavour to gnin 

the Canndiins ? 
Wh;it wore they willing to do ? 
What did congress dosi^jn ? 
Wlio was made comm:inder ? 
Who was second in command ? 



What was done hy them ? 
Who succeeded Schuyler in the com- 
mand ? 
What fort did he take ? 
What supplies were found there .' 



ESCAPE OF GOVERNOR CiRLETON. 



201 



During the siege of Fort St. John, Fort Chamblee had 
been taken, wliich furnished General Montgomery with a 
plentiful supply of provisions, of which his army stood much 
in need. General Carleton, on his way from Montreal, had 
been defeated and repulsed ; and Colonel Ethan Allen, who 
had made an unauthorised and rash attack on Montreal, had 
been overcome, made prisoner, and sent in irons to England. 

On the fall of Fort Si. John, General Montgomery advanced 
against Montreal, which was not in a condition to resist him. 
Governor Carleton, fully sensible of his inability to defend 
the town, quitted it. Next day General Montgomery entered 
Montreal. He treated the inhabitants with great lenity, 
respecting their religion, property, and rights ; and gained 
their good will by the afTabilily of his manners, and the 
nobleness and generosity of his disposition. 

A body of provincials, under Colonel Easton, had been 
despatched by Montgomery, and took post at the mouth of 
the Sorcl ; and by means of an armed vessel and floating 
batteries, commanded the navigation of the St. Lawrence, 
The British force which had retreated down the river from 
Montreal, consisting of 120 soldiers under General Prescott, 
and accompanied by Governor Carleton, seeing it impracti- 
cable to force a passage, surrendered by capitulation. About 
midnight, the day before the capitulation. Governor Carleton 
escaped down the river, passing through the American sqnadron 
in a boat with muffled oars, and reached Quebec in safety. 

It was now the IDth of November, and the season was 
very unfavourable to military operations. General Mont- 
gomery, a young ofllcer of superior talent and high spirit, 
found himself placed in extremely unpleasant circumstances. 
He was at the head of a body of armed men, by no means de- 
ficient in courage and patriotism, but totally unaccustomed to 
military subordination. The term of service, for which many 
of them had enlisted, was near an end ; and, heartily weary 
of the hardships of the campaign, they were loudly demand- 
ing their discharge. Nothing but devotion to the cause 
could have made the general continue the command. Hitherto 
his career had been marked with success; and he was ambi- 
tious of closing the campaign with some brilliant achievement. 



Wlint other firt was taken ? 

Whnt is said of Carleton .' 

Of Ktlvin Allen ? 

A}i;Tinst what place did Montgomery 

now advance ? 
Did he take tlve place ? 



How did he fpin the good will of the 
inhabitants ? 

Who were captured on the St Law- 
rence ? 

Ifow did Carleton escape ? 

What was Montgomery's situation 



202 



ARNOLD BEFORE QUEBEC. 



M'hich sliould elevate the spirit of the Americans and humble 
the pride of the British ministry. With these views, nol- 
M-itlistanding the advanced season of the year, lie liasiened 
towards Quebec, altliough he had found it necessary to 
weaken his army, which had never exceeded 2,000 men, by 
discharging many of them whose terms of .service had 
expired. 

About the middle of September, a detachment of 1,100 
men under Colonel Arnold, had been sent from the vicinity 
of Boston, with orders to march across the country against 
Quebec, by a route which liad never been explored and was 
but little known. The party embarked at Newbury, steered 
for the Kennebec, and ascended that river, in order to reach 
Canada by penetrating the forests in the interior of Maine — 
a most difficult and hazardous attempt. Their progress was 
impeded by rapids and by an almost impassable wilderness; 
and they suffered incredible hardships through the severity 
of the weather and the want of provisions. They separated 
into several divisions ; and the last, under Colonel Enos, 
finding itself unable to proceed, returned to the camp at 
Koxbury. But the other divisions, under Arnold, pressed 
forward, and triumphed over every obstacle. For a month 
they toiled through a rough and barren wilderness, without 
seeing a human habitation, or the face of an individual except 
of their own party ; and their provisions were exhausted ; so 
that Arnold was obliged to push forward Ijcfore the rest, with 
a few followers, and obtain a supply from the nearest Cana- 
dian settlement. At length, on the 9th of November, the 
party, with its force much diminished, arrived at Point Levi, 
opposite Quebec. 

His appearance, says an English writer, was not unex- 
pected ; for the lieutenant governor had been for some time 
apprised of his march. In the early part of his progress, 
Arnold liad met an Indian, to whom, aliliouffh a stranger, he 
had imprudently trusted a letter to General Schuyler, under 
cover, to a friend in Quebec. The Indian, instead of faith- 
fully delivering the letter, according to the directions which 
he had received, carried it to the lieutenant governor, who, in 
order to prevent the Americans from passing the river, imme- 
diately removed all the canoes from Point Levi, and began to 



Townrds what place did ho march ? 
Describe Arnold's expedition through 

the wilderness. 
When did he reach Point Levi ? 



How had Arnold's imprudence pre- 
vented him from suiprising Que- 
bec ? 

What was the consequence ? 



MONTGOMERY BEFORE QVEBT.C. 



203 



pixt the city in a posture of delence ; wliich, but ft»r this folly 
and rashness of Amok!, miijlit liave been easily surprised. 

On discovering the arrival of Arnokl at Point Levi, the 
Brilisli commander stationed two vessels of war in the river, 
to guard the passage ; and at that interesting crisis Colonel 
M'Lean, who had retreated before Montgomery, arrived from 
the Sorel, with about one hundred and seventy newly raised 
troops to assist in defence of the place. 

in spit^of the vigilance of the British, Arnold succeeded 
on the night of the 14th of November, in crossing the river 
with five hundred men in canoes, and landed near the place 
where the" brave and enterprising Wolfe had landed, sixteen 
years before, called, from this circumstance, Wolfe's Cove. 
Not being able to convey his scaling ladders over the river 
with his troops, he could not immediately attack the town. 
Instead of concealing himself, till his scaling ladders could 
be brought forward, and then making a sudden and unex- 
pected attack by night, he marched part of his troops in 
military parade in sight of the garrison ; and so put the 
British fully on their guard. He wished to summon them 
to surrender. But they fired upon his flag of truce, ami 
refused to hold any communication with him. He therefore 
on the 19th of the month, retired from Quebec to Point aux 
Trembles, about twenty miles above the city, where General 
Montgomery, with the force under his command, joined him 
on the 1st of December. From him the soldiers of Arnold 
received a supply of winter clothing which their previous 
condition rendered particularly acceptable. 

Soon after Arnold's retreat, Governor Carleton arrived in 
Quebec, and exerted himself to put the place in a state of 
defence. 

General Montgomery having brought the scaling ladders 
across the river, appeared with his whole force before 
Quebec on the 5th of December. The garrison was then 
more numerous than its assailants. The Americans amounted 
to but nine hundred effective men, while Governor Carleton 
had about fifteen hundred, soldiers, militia, seamen, and 
volunteers under his command. 

General Montgomery sent a flag of truce to summon the 



How did the British commander 

guard the river ? 
How was he reinforced ? 
What was done by Arnold on the 

14th of November? 
What blunder did he make ? 



How was his flag of truce received ? 
Whither did he retire ? 
Who joined him there ? 
What is said of Carleton ? 
Of Montgomery;' 



204 DEATH OF MONTGOMERY. 

garrison to surrender; but it was fired upon, as that of Arnold 
had been ; and although it was in the depth of a Canadian 
winter and in the most intense cold, he proceeded to the 
difficult task of erecting batteries; but his artillery was too 
light to inake any impression on the fortifications. He there- 
fore detennined to storm the town ; and the assault was made 
on the morning of the 31st of December. 

About four o'clock in the morning, in the midst of a violent 
storm of snow, two feints and two real attacks \#sre simul- 
taneously made. The real attacks were conducted by Mont- 
gomery and Arnold. Montgomery advancing at tlie head of 
about two hundred men, fell by the first discharge of grape 
shot from the works. Several of his best officers being 
killed, his division retreated. Arnold, at the head of about 
three hundred men, in a diffin-ent quarter, maintained a fierce 
and obstinate conflict for some time; but was at last wounded 
and repulsed, leaving many of his men in the hands of the 
■enemy. The death of Montgomery was the subject of much 
regret, as he had been universally loved and esteemed. On 
assembling, after the assault, so large a number had been 
killed or taken prisoners, that the provincials could not 
muster many more tlian four liundred efTective men, who 
chose Arnold for their commander; and in the hope of re- 
ceiving reinforcements, resolved to remain in the vicinity of 
Quebec. 

Sir Guy Carleton acquired much honour, not only by his 
gallant defence of tlie city, but also, by ihe humanity with 
which he treated all his prisoners. The sick and wounded, 
he caused to be taken care of, and permitted them, when re- 
covered, to return to their homes unmolested. 'J'he Ameri- 
cans were not ignorant of their own inferiority in point of 
numbers to the garrison, and were not without apprehensions 
of being attacked; but although the garrison was three times 
more numerous than the besieging army, it was of such a 
mixed and precarious character, that Carleton did not deem it 
prudent to march out against his enemy. 

A small reinforcement, from Massachusetts, reached the 
American camp, and all the troops, that could be spared from 
Montreal, marched to join their countrymen before Quebec; 
but the month of February was far advanced before the army 



What is snid of the comparative force 
of the two parties ? 

How was Montgomery's flag treated ? 

What did he then do > 

When was the assault made on Que- 
bec i 



What was the result ? 

How did Carleton behave } 

Why did he not attack in his turn 

Who relieved the Americans ? 

What was their number iu February i 



FALL OF QUEBEC. 205 

amounted to 960 men. Arnold, however, resumed the siege ; 
but his artillery was inadequate to the undertaking, and made 
no impression on t'.ie wodcs. Although unsuccessi'ul against 
the town, he defeated a body of C'anadians, who advanced to 
relieve it; and succeeded so w^ell in cutting off supplies from 
the couniry, that the garrison was reduced to great distress 
for want of provisions. 

When the Americans entered the province, many of the 
inhabitants were well disposed towards them, as the friends 
and defenders of liberty. But by their subsequent behaviour, 
they forfeited the good will, and provoked the hostility of the 
Canadians. They were wanting in respect to the clergy ; 
compelled the people to furnish them with articles below the 
current prices ; gave illegal and unsigned certificates for goods 
which they had received, which were consequently rejected 
by the quartermaster general. They made promises and did 
not perform them ; and insulted the people when they 
demanded payment of their just debts. Such conduct, of 
course, alienated the affections of the Canadians, who con- 
sidered congress as bankrupt, and their army as a band of 
plunderers. 

On hearing of this scandalous misconduct, congress or- 
dered justice to be done to the Canadians, and the strictest 
military discipline to be observed. But in Canada the tide 
of popular sentiment and feeling was turned against the 
Americans, who, by their unworthy practices, had awakened 
a spirit of hostility, which all the policy of Governor Carle- 
ton had been unable to excite. 

While the American army lay before Quebec, the troops 
had caught the small-pox from a woman who had been a 
nurse in one of the hospitals of the city, and the loathsome 
disease spread rapidly among them. In order to mitigate 
its ravages, many of the men, regardless of orders to the 
contrary, inoculated themselves. The reinforcements, which 
were daily arriving, had recourse to the same practice ; 
and, so general was the infection, that on the first of May, 
although the army amounted to 2,000 men, yet not more 
than 900 were fit for duty. In this diseased state of the 
troops, medicines, and every thing necessary for the sick, 
were wanting. The men were also scattered, for want ofj 
barracks. 



How did Arnold carry on the war ? 
How did the Americans render them- 
selves unpopular in Canada ? 
What was done by congress ? 



What disease visited the Americao 

camp ? 
What was its effect on the numbers 

and condition of the army ? 
18 



206 



THE AMERICANS^RETREAT FROM CANADA. 



Major General Thomas, who hail been appointed to the 
command of the American army in Canada, arrived in camp 
on the first of May. He found the troops enfeebled by dis- 
ease, ill supplied with provisions, and with only a small quan- 
tity of ammunition. The river was opening below, and he 
was well aware, that, as soon as ships could force their way 
through the ice, the garrison would be reinforced. On the 
fifth of May, therefore, he resolved to retreat towards Mon- 
treal ; and, on the evening of tiie same day, he received cer- 
tain information that a British fleet was in the river. Next 
morning some of the ships, by great exertion, and with much 
danger, pressed through the ice, into the harbour, and landed 
some troops. 

The Americans were preparing to retire; General Carleton 
marched out to attack them ; but, instead of awaiting his 
approach, they made a precipitate retreat, leaving behind tiiem 
their sick, baggage, artillery, and military stores. Many of 
those who were ill of the small-pox, escaped from the hos-. 
pitals, and concealed themselves in the country, where they 
were kindly entertained, bj'^ the Canadians, till they re- 
covered and were able to follow their countrymen. General 
Carleton could not overtake the retreating army ; but he took 
about 100 sick prisoners, whom he treated with characteristic 
humanity. 

The Americans retreated about forty-five miles, and then 
halted a few days ; but, afterwards, proceeded to Sorel, in a 
distressed condition, and encamped there. In this interval, 
some reinforccmeuts arrived. General Thomas, beinj seized 
with the small-pox, died, and was succeeded in tlie command 
by General Sullivan. 

The British had several military posts in Upper Canada; 
and the Americans established one at the Cedars, a point of 
land projecting into the St. Lawrence, about forty miles above 
Montreal. The garrison consisted of 400 men, under the 
command of Colonel Bedell. Captain Foster, with about 
600 regulars and Indians, marched from Oswegatchie to 
attack this post. The American commander having received 
an intimation, tliat, if any of the Indians were killed, the 
garrison would probably be massacred, made but a short and 
feeble resistance before he surrendered the place. 

An American party of about 100 men, under Major Sher- 



Who was now commander of the 

Americans > 
What course did he take ? 
What compelled him to retreat f 



Whither did the Americans retire? 
What general died ? 
Who succeeded him ? 



OPERATIONS IN UPPER CANADA. 



207 



burne, left Montreal to assist their countrymen at tlie Cedars, 
As they approached that place on the day after the surrender 
ignorant of that event, they were suddenly and unexpectedly 
attacked by a body of Indians and Canadians. After defend- 
ing themselves for some time, the Americans were overpow- 
ered, and many of them fell under the tomahawks of the 
Indians. The rest were made prisoners. 

Arnold, who in the month of .January had been raised to 
the rank of brigadier general, was desirous of recovering the 
Cedars and of relieving the prisoners tliere ; and, for these 
purposes marched towards that place at the head of about 
800 men. But on his approach. Captain Foster gave him 
notice, that unless he agreed to a cartel, which had already 
been signed by Major Sherburne and some other officers, the 
Indians would put all the prisoners to death. In these cir- 
cumstances, Arnold reluctantly signed the cartel and retired. 
Congress long hesitated and delayed to sign this agreement. 

Before the end of May, the British force in Canada was 
greatly increased ; and including the German mercenaries, 
was estimated at 13,000 men. This force was widely dis- 
persed ; but Three Rivers, half way between Quebec and 
Montreal, was the point of general rendezvous. A consi- 
derable detachment, under General Frazer, had already ar- 
rived there. General Sullivan despatched General Thompson, 
with a party, to surprise them, but the enterprise failed. 
Thompson was made prisoner, and his detachment dispersed. 

When the British sea and land forces had collected at 
ThreeJRivers, they advanced, by land and water, towards the 
Sorel. General Sullivan had retreated up that river; and 
General Burgoyne was ordered cautiously to pursue him. 
On the 15th of June, Arnold quitted Montreal and retired to 
Crown Point with little loss in the retreat.* The American 
forces were thus completely withdrawn from Canada, and 
this bold and hazardous invasion was finally terminated. It 
had cost much suffering and many valuable lives ; and it pro- 
duced no advantage to the American cause. 



Relate the affair of the Cedars. 

Of the party who came to relieve the 

Americans at the Cedars. 
Of Arnold's attempt to recover the 

Cedars. 



What is said of the British force in 
Canada ? 

Of General Thompson's capture ? 

Describe the final retreat of the Ame- 
ricans from Canada. 

What is said of this expedition 



* Sir Guy Carleton succeeded in gaining possession of Ticonderoga and 
Lake Champlain, in the succeeding October. 



208 



OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1776. 



The spring of 1776 opened with very little prospect of 
reconciliation between Great Britain and her colonies. No 
answer was returned to the petition of congress to the king ; 
but inteUigence was received that the British had made trea- 
ties with the landgrave of Ilesse Cassel, and other petty Ger- 
man sovereignties, and hired from tlieni about 17,000 merce- 
nary troops, for the service of the crown in America. These 
troops, known among the colonists by the general name of 
Hessians, were much dreaded, until after a few thousand of 
them had been killed or made prisoners. It was also under- 
stood, that, in addition to these men, 25,000 British soldiers 
would be sen I rl^er. A part of this force was said to be 
destined for Ch;i:ieston, in Soutli Carolina. 

On the 2d of June, 1776, the alarm guns were fired in the 
vicinity of Charleston, and expresses sent to the militia 
officers to hasten with their men to the defence of the capital. 
The order was promptly obeyed ; and some continental re- 
giments, from tlie neighbouring states, also arrived. The 
whole was under the direction of General Lee, wlio had been 
appointed commander of all the forces in the southern states, 
and had under his direction the continental generals, Arm- 
strong and Howe. 

Charleston was all alive with the bustle of warlike prepara- 
tion. The citizens, abandoning their usual occupations, em- 
ployed themselves in putting the town in a rcspectal)Ie state 
of defence. They pulled down the valuable store-houses on 
the wharves, barricaded the streets and constructed lines of 
defence along the siiore. The troops, amounting to between 
5 and 0,000 men, were stationed in the most advantageous 
positions. The second and third rcguhir regiments of South 
Carolina, under Colonels Moultrie and Thomson, were posted 
on Sullivan's Island. A regiment, commanded by Colonel 
Gadsden, was stationed at Fort Johnson, about three miles 



Whnt was tlio st;ile of afTairs in the 

spring of 1776 f 
Wh:it sort of troops were obtained 

by the Knglisii government for the 

service in America .' 



For what place were a part of these 

troops destined .' 
How did the inhabitants prepare for 

defence ? 
Wliat was their force } 



ATTACK ON THE FORT AT CHARLESTON. 



209 



below Charleston, on the most northerly point of James' 
Island, and within point blank shot of" the channel. The rest 
of the troops were posted at Haddrel's Point, along the bay, 
near the town, and at such other places as were thought most 
proper. Amidst all this hustle and preparation, lead for bullets 
was extremely scarce, and the windows of Charleston were 
stripped of their weights, in order to procure a small supply 
of that necessary article. 

While the Americans were thus busily employed, the 
British were not idle. About the middle of February, an 
armament had sailed from the Cove of Cork, under the com- 
mand of Sir Peter Parker, and Earl Cornwallis, to encourage 
and support the loyalists* in the southern provinces. 

After a tedious voyage, the greater part of the fleet reached 
Cape Fear, in North Carolina, on the 3.d of May. General 
Clinton, who had left Boston in December, look command of 
the land forces and issued a proclamation, promising pardon 
to all the inhabitants who would lay down their arms. But 
this offer produced no effect. Early in June, the armament, 
consisting of between 40 and 50 vessels, appeared off Charles- 
ton, and 36 of the transports passed the bar and anchored 
about three miles from Sullivan's Island. Some hundreds 
of the troops landed on Long Island, which lies on the west 
of Sullivan's Island, and which is separated from it by a nar- 
row channel, often fordable. 

On the lOlh and 2.5lh of June, two 50 gun ships passed 
the bar, and the British, having now about 10 ships of war 
ready for action, prepared to engage. The troops^ amounting 
to 3,000, were underthe command of Sir Henry Clinton, the 
naval force under the admiral. Sir Peter Parker. 

On the forenoon of the 28th of June, this fleet advanced 
against the fort on Sullivan's Island, which was defended by 
Colonel Moultrie with 344 regular troops and some militia, 
who volunteered their services on the occasion. The battle 



When did the British fleet arrive ? 
Explain the terms Whig and Toi-y. 
Whore did they land troops ? 
What was the British naval force, 
and who commanded it ? 



Who commanded the army ? 

What was the number of British 

troops ? 
What fort did they attack ? 
Who commanded the defence ? 



* The adherents of the royal cause, in America, were called Tories, and 
their opponents Whigs. These designations were derived from the parties 
in England, who were respectively arrayed in the defence of royal preroga- 
tive, or popular rights. The tories, in America, were in a most uncomfort- 
able position during a great part of the revolutionary struggle. 



18* 



210 



DEFENCE OF THE FORT. 



commenced with a tremendous discharge of cannon and bombs 
upon the fort, which was returned shiwly, but with deliberate 
and deadly aim. The contest was carried on during the 
whole day with unabaling fury. All tlie forces at Charleston 
stood prepared for battle ; and both tlie troops and the nume- 
rous spectators beheld the conflict with alternations of liope 
and fear, which appeared in their countenances and gestures. 
They knew not how soon the fort might be silenced or passed 
by, and an attack made upon themselves; but they were 
resolved to meet the invaders at the water's edge, to dispute 
every inch of ground, and to prefer death to slavery. 

Three of the British ships were ordered to assail the west- 
ern extremity of the fort, which was in a very unfinished 
state ; but as they proceeded for that purpose, lliey got en- 
tangled with a shoal, called the Middle Ground, ran foul of 
each other; and one of tliem remained aground ; so that this 
part of tlie attack completely failed in the outset. 

It had ])een concerted that, during the attack by the ships, 
Sir Henry Clinton, with the troops, sliould pass the narrow 
chaimcl wliich separates liOng Island from Sullivan's Island, 
and assail the fort b)^ land ; but this the general found im- 
practicable ; the channel, usually for(!ai)le, having been re- 
cently deepened by a long prevalence of easterl)' winds. If 
Sir Henry had succeeded in passing the channel, he would 
have been met at the water's edge, by a strong detachment 
of riflemen, regulars and militia, under Colonel Thomson, 
who were posted at the east end of Sullivan's Island, to 
oppose any attack made in that quarter. 

In the course of the day, the fire of the fort ceased, for a 
short time, and the British flattered themselves that the guns 
were abandoned ; but tlie pause w'as occasioned solely by the 
want of powder, and when a supply was obtained, the can- 
nonade recommenced as steadily as before. The enirngement, 
which began about 11 o'clock in the forenoon, continued with 
unabated fury till 7 in the eveiung, when the fire slackened, 
and at about 9, entirely ceased on both sides. 

During the night, all the shi[)s, except the Acteon which 
was aground, hauled ofl' in rather a discomfited plight to the 
distance of two miles from the island. Next morning, the fort 
fired a few shots at the Acteon, and she at first returned them ; 



Drsciilic tho attnrk or llio fort. 
Wliut is said of the people of Cliarlcs- 

ton? 
What happened to three of the British 

ships ? 



How was Fir Henry Clinton foiled? 
How loii<; (lid the battle last .' 
Wliat piisscd diiiin'; the nii;ht ? 
Wliat hajipeiied next morning .' 



THE BRITISH DRIVEN FROM CHARLESTON. 



211 




Attack on Fort Moultrie. 

but in a short time her crew set her on fire and abandoned 
her. A party of Americans boarded tlie burning vessel, 
seized her colours, fired some of lier guns at Admiral Parker, 
filled three boats with her sails and stores, and then quitted 
her. She blew up shortly afterwards. In a few days the 
whole fleet, with the troops on board, sailed for New York. 

In this obstinate engagement the Americans fought with 
great gallantry, and the loss of the British was very severe. 
In the course of the engagement, tlie flag-staff of the fort was 
shot away ; but Sergeant Jasper leaped down upon the beach, 
snatched up the flag, fastened it to a sponge-staff, and while 
the ships were incessantly directing their broadsides upon the 
l^rt, he mounted the merlon and deliberately replaced the 
flag. Next day, President Rutledge presented him with a 
sword, as a testimony of respect for his distinguished valour. 
Colonel Moultrie and the officers and troops on Sullivan's 
Island, received the thanks of their country for their bravery; 
and in honour of the gallant commander tlie fort was named 
Fori Moultrie. 

The failure of the attack on Charleston was of great impor- 
tance to the American cause, and contributed much to the 
establishment of the popular government. The friends of 
congress triumphed ; the diffident became bold ; and many 
of the tories abandoned their party and attached themselves 
to the cause of American liberty. The brave defence of Fort 
Moultrie saved the southern states from the horrors of war for 
several years. 

When the British fleet, under Sir Peter Parker, had first 



What is related of Sergeant Jasper ? I What name was given to the fort ? 
How was he rewarded ? | What were the effects of this victory ? 



212 



PREPARATIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE. 



appeared in Charleston bay, the Cherokee Indians had treach- 
erously invaded the western frontier of the province, marking 
their course, as usual, with murder and devastation. The 
speedy retreat of the British fleet left the savages exposed to 
the vengeance of the Americans, who, in separate divisions, 
entered their country at difi'erent points, from Virginia and, 
Georgia, defeated their warriors, burned their villages, laid 
waste their cornfields, and rendered the Cherokees incapable 
of giving annoyance to the setUers for some time to come. 
Thus, in the south, the Americans, at this time, triumphed 
over the arms both of the British and the Indians. 

Intelligence of the rejection of their second petition, and of 
the cold indifference observed towards Mr. Penu, the provin- 
cial agent, by the British government, had reached congress 
in November, 1775, and awakened a strong sensation through- 
out the provinces. It showed the colonists in what light their 
conduct was viewed by the British cabinet, and what they had 
to expect from the parent state. It was clear enougii now, 
that there was no medium between unconditional submission 
and absolute independence. The colonists saw that they must 
either abandon every thing for which they had been hitherto 
contending, or assert tlieir freedom by force of arms; and 
many of them were struck with the incongruity of professing 
allegiance to a power which their martial battalions were 
opposing in the field. 

That men, who had always been accustomed to the righto 
of freedom and self-government, sliould descend from their 
exalted rank to the degradation of slavery — that tluy should 
abandon every thing which they held dear, and become the 
crouching subjects of a suspected, despised, and oppressed 
dependency of the British empire, was not to be expected. 
The colonists spurned the thought of such degradation. 
Entirely emancipated from the antiquated notions of pre- 
rogative, which guided the councils of the British cabinet, 
the provincial leaders took the most prompt and efficacious 
measures to give a new bias to the public mind, and to pre- 
pare the people for a new state of things. Independence, 
which, in the earlier stages of the contest, had been casually 
and obliq\iely hinted, was now made a topic of public discus- 
sion. At first it alarmed timid and moderate men, who had 



Of what treachery were the Chero- 
kees guilty ? 

Jtovs' were lliey punislicd ? 

What news was received from Eng- 
land ? 



What was the eflcct of tliis intelli- 



f^ence 



What were now the sentiments of a 
large pait of the colonists ? 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDKNCE SIGNED. 213 

a glimpse of the calamitous scenes which such a course would 
open before them. But the partisans of independence were 
bold and indefatiu;abie ; ihey laboured incessantly in rendering 
the subject familiar to the popular ear and mind ; the number 
of llieir adherents daily increased ; and many, who had been 
hostile to a separation from Britain, became friendly lo that 
measure, or ceased to oppose it. They justly thought cir- 
cumstances so desperate, that matters could not be rendered 
worse by the attempt, and success might be beneficial. 

At that time, Thomas Paine, an Englishman, who had re- 
cently arrived in America, published a pamphlet, under the 
title of ' Common Sense,' which had a prodigious influence 
in promoting the cause of independence; it was widely cir- 
culated and universally read. Altliough Paine was a man of 
no learning, and of very little knowledge, yet he had a shrewd 
understanding, and a confideyt and popular manner of writing, 
to M'hich cause the extraordinary effect of his pamphlet on the 
public mind may be traced. 

'The subject having been discussed in a variety of ways in 
the different provinces; having, in several of them, met with 
more or less opposition ; and many of the members of con- 
gress having received instructions on the point, from their 
constituents, it was solemnly taken into consideration by that 
body, in the month of June, and discussed with closed doors, 
in a very animated manner. Among the advocates of the 
measure John Adams, of Massachusetts, was the most con- 
spicuous ; and among its zealou.s, but sincere and honourable 
opponents, was John Dickenson, of Pennsylvania. The 
debate was as animated and earnest as it was momentous. 
The friends of the measure, however, finally prevailed. The 
declaration of independence* passed ; and, on the fourth of 
JULY, 1776, the members having severally affixed their signa- 
tures to the document, it was publicly proclaimed to the peo- 
ple from the door of the state house, in PhilaJelptiia, and 
received with sliouts of gratulation, and the ringing of bells, 
and firing of cannon — tokens of rejoicing, which, according 
to the celebrated prediction of John Adams, have been 



How did the friends of independence 
operate on the public mind i" 

What writer was distinojuished for his 
boldness and success ? 



When was the subject of independence 

taken up in congress ? 
Who advocated the declaration ? 
Who opposed it ? 
V/licn was it signed and proclaimed ? 



* See Appendix. 



214 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

annually repealed to the present day. The hall in which 
the conlinenlal congress was then assembled, was thence- 
forward called Independence Hall ; and the public square, in 
■which Americans first assembled to hear the charter of their 
freedom read, still retains the name of Independence Square. 

The conclusion of this celebrated state paper was in the 
following words — at once firm, temperate, and solemn : 

'"We, the representatives of the United States of America, 
in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme 
Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in 
the name, and by the authority of the people in these colonies, 
solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, 
and of right ought to be, free and independent states ; that 
they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; 
that all political connection between them and the state of 
Great Britain is, and ought to be totally dissolved ; and that, 
as free and independent states, they have full power to levy 
war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, 
and do all other acts and things which independent states may 
of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a 
firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mu- 
tually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our 
sacred honour.' 

The Declaration of Independence was drawn up by Tho- 
mas .lelferson. ' To say,' says Mr. AVebster, ' that he per- 
formed his great work well, would be doing him injustice. 
To say that he did it excellently well, admirably well, would 
be inadequate and hailing praise. Let us rather say, that he 
so discharged the duty assigned him, that all Americans may 
well rejoice that the work of drawing the title deed of their 
liberties devolved on his hands.' 

One point of objection, which has been urged against the 
declaration, is thus cleared up by Mr. Webster.* 

•With all its merits, there are those who have thought that 
there was one thing in the declaration to be regretted ; and 
that is, the asperity and apparent anger with which it speaks 
of the person of the king; the industrious ability with which 
it accumulates and charges upon him all the injuries which 



■What places arc named in commemo- 
ration of this event .' 
Who wrote the Declaration of Inde- 



What does Mr. Webster say of this 

performance ? 
Wliat objection has been made to this 



pendence ? celebrated state paper ? 



• ' Discourse in commemoration of the Lives and Services of John Adams 
and Thomas JefTerson.' 



REMARKS ON THE DECLARATION. 



215 



T 


in 


lillii^^^ 










H 


H 








^M 




■ 


w 


^^fH 


m 






|H 


S 



I'lie Declaralion of ladepeadeiice proclaimed in Philadelphia. 

the colonies liad suffered from the mother country. Possibly 
some degree of injustice, now or hereafter, at home or abroad, 
may be done to llie character of Mr. Jefferson, if this part of 
the declaration be not placed in its proper liglit. Anger or 
resentment, certainly, much less personal reproach and invec- 
tive, could not properly find place in a composition of such 
high dignity, and of such lofty and permanent character. 

'A single reflection on the original ground of dispute be- 
tween England and the colonies is sufficient to remove any 
unfavourable impression, in this respect. 

' The inhabitants of all the colonies, while colonies, admit- 
ted themselves bound by their allegiance to the king ; but 
they disclaimed, altogether, the authority of parliament; hold- 
ing themselves, in this respect, to resemble the condition of 
Scotland and Ireland, before the respective unions of those 
kingdoms with England, when they acknowledged allegiance 
to the same king, but each had its separate legislature. The 
tie, therefore, which our revolution was to break, did not 
subsist between us and the British parliament, or between us 
and the British government, in the aggregate ; but directly 
between us and the king himself. The colonies had never 
admitted themselves subject to parliament. That was pre- 
cisely the point of the original controversy. They had uni- 
formly denied that parliament had authority to make laws for 
them. There was, therefore, no subjection to parliament to 
be thrown off.* But allegiance to the king did exist, and had 



How is it refuted by Mr. Webster ? 



* 'This question, of the power of parliament over the colonies, was dis- 
cussed with singular ability by Governor Hutchinson on the one side, and 
the house of representatives of Massachusetts on the other, in 1773. The 



21 G GEORGE III. 

• 

b(?en uniformly acknowledged ; and down to 1775, the most 
solemn assurances liad been given that it was not intended to 
break thai allegiance, or to throw it off. 'i'lierefore, as the 
direct object, and only effect o^ the declaration, according to 
the principles on whicli the controversy had been maintained, 
on our part, was to sever the tie of allegiance wliich bound 
us to the king, it v/as properly and necessarily foiindid on 
acts of the crown itself, as its justifying causes. Parliament 
is not so much as mentioned in the whole instrument. When 
odious and oppressive acts are referred to, it is done by 
charging the king with confederating with others, " in pre- 
tended acts of legislation ;" the object being, constantly, to 
hold the king liimself directly responsible for those measures 
which were tlie grounds of separation. Even the precedent 
of the English revolution was not overlooked, and, in this 
case, as M'^ell as in that, occasion was found to say that the 
king had abdicated the govennnent. Consistency with the 
principles upon which resistance began, and with all the pre- 
vious state papers issued by congress, required that the de- 
claration should be bottomed on the niisgovernment of the 
king; and, therefore, it was properly framed M'ith that aim, 
and to that end. Tlie king was known, indeed, to have acted, 
as in other cases, by.Jiis ministers, and with his parliament; 
but, as our ancestors had never admitted tliemselves subject 
either to ministers or to parliament, there were no reasons to 
be given for now refusing obcillence to tlicir authority. This 
clear and obvious necessity of founding the declaration on the 
misconduct of the king himself, gives to that instrument its 
])ersonal application, and its character of direct and pointed 
accusation.' 

It is worthy of remark, that the word tvrant applied to 
George III, in the declaration, has been fully justified by 
recent disclosures. Letters of the king have been lately pub- 
lished, which clearly prove that he himself was the most 
determined and inflexible supporter of the tyrannical measures 
directed ajiainst the liberties of the colonies. That the sud- 



What is said of George III .' 



argument of the house is in the form of an answer to the governor's message, 
and was reported liy Mr. Samuel Adam"!, Mr. Hancock, IMr. Hawlcy, Mr. 
Bowers, Mr. Hotison, Mr. Foster, Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Thayer. As the 
power of the parliament had been acknowledged, so far, at least, as to afTect 
us by laws of trade, it was not easy to settle the line of distinction. It was 
thought, however, to be very clear, that the charters of the colonies had 
exempted them from Ihe'general legislation of the British parliament. See 
Massachusetts Stale Papers, p. 351.' 



ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH AT NEW YORK. 217 

den, and otherwise unaccountable changes in the ministry 
were all owing to his personal influence, and all directed to 
this point; and he declared to John Adams, the first ambassa- 
dor I'rom the United States to England, that he was the last 
man in his dominions to consent to the recognition of their 
independence. So true it is, that a mild personal character 
may be consistent with the sternest principles of political 
tyranny. 

After the declaration of independence, the Americans had 
to contend with important difficulties in supporting their pre- 
tensions. The great contest was but just begun. 

It has already been stated that, at the close of the siege of 
Boston, General Howe proceeded to Halifax, and General 
Washington towards New York, where he soon arrived with 
his army. In that city the British interest had been more 
powerful than in any other place in the provinces, and the 
struggle between the friends of BritisJi domination, and of 
American freedom, had been more doubtful than in any other 
quarter. But, by superior numbers, and more daring activity, 
the adherents of congress had gained the ascendancy. On his 
arrival in the city, Washington endeavoured to put it in a 
state of defence ; and as the British, by means of their fleet, 
had the command of the waters, he attempted to obstruct the 
navigation of the East and North Rivers, by sinking vessels 
in the channels. He also raised fortifications at New York, 
and on Long Island ; and made every preparation in his 
power for giving the British army a vigorous reception. 

General Howe remained some time at Halifax ; but, after 
the recovery of his troops from the fatigue and sickness occa- 
sioned by the siege of Boston, he embarked, sailed to the 
southward, and on the 2d of July landed, without opposition, 
on Staten Island, which lies on the coast of New Jersey, and 
is separated from Long Island by a channel called the Nar- 
rows. His army consisted of 9,000 men, and his brother, 
Lord Howe, conimander of the British fleet, who had touched 
at Halifax, expecting to find him there, arrived soon after- 
wards, with a reinforcement of about 20,000 men from Bri- 
tain. Thus General Howe had the command of nearly 30,000 
troops, for the purpose of subjugating the American colonies; 
a more formidable force than had ever before visited these 
shores. General Washington was ill prepared to meet such 



What city had Washington to defend, I When did General Howe land on 

after relieving Boston ? | Staten Island ? 

How did he prepare for the reception j What was his force ? 

of the British ? | Who commanded the fleet ? 

19 



218 CONDITION OF THE ARMIES. 

a powerful army. His force consisted of about 9,000 men, 
many of whom were ill armed, and about 2,000 williout any 
arms at all ; but new levies were daily coming in. 

Soon after his appearance off the coast, Lord Howe sent 
a letter to the American conmiander in chief, addressed to 
' George Wasliington, Esq. ;' but the general refused to open 
it, as the address was not in a style corresponding to the dig- 
nity of the situation which he held. Another letter was sent 
to ' George Washington, &;c. &c. &c. ;' but tiiis also was 
refused. ' It did not acknowledge,' he said, ' the public cha- 
racter with which he was invested by the congress, and in no 
other -character would he have any intercourse with his lord- 
ship.' 

The communication, however, to which these letters gave 
rise, afforded the British an opportunity of exerting themselves 
in order to effect a reconciliation. With this view, the Ame- 
rican general was iirfornied that Lord Howe was invested 
with full powers to receive the submission of the colonists, 
and to reinstate them in the favour of their lawful sovereign ; 
but Washington declared that these powers appeared to con- 
sist in nothing but granting pardons ; and that as the provin- 
cials, in defending their rights, had been guilty of no crime, 
they required no forgiveness. 

Both sides, therefore, prepared to terminate their disputes 
by an appeal to arms ; and hostilities began as soon as the 
English troops were collected at their appointed stations. 
The character of the forces which were now about to engage 
was very different. The British troops were numerous, 
regularly disciplined, and accustomed to military operations ; 
while the Americans were inferior in numbers, and inexpe- 
rienced, newly embodied, and not Avell provided with artil- 
lery and ammunition. 

Washington marked the condition of his army with very 
great concern. It amounted to less than 18,000 effective 
men ; while that of the English was nearly 30,000 strong. 
As the American government had no established revenue, 
and as the sources of their commerce were completely dried 
up, the difficulties which the general had to encounter were 
such as no human ability and perseverance could easily sur- 



What was Washington's force ? 
Relate the atTair of the letter. 
The affair of the pardons. 
What did both sides now prepare 
for? 



What was the relative character of 
the British and of the American 
troops ? 

What difficulties had Wasliington to 
encounter ? 



DESCENT UPON LONG ISLAND. 



219 



mount. 'These things,' said he in a letter to congress, ' are 
melancholy, but they ai-e nevertheless true. I hope for bet- 
ter. Under every disadvantage, my utmost exertions shall 
be employed to bring about the great end we have in view; 
and, so far as I can judge from the professions and apparent 
disposition of my troops, I shall have their support. The 
superiority of the enemy, and the expected attack, do not 
seem to have depressed their spirits. These considerations 
lead me to think that, though the appeal to arms may not 
terminate so happily as I could wish, yet the enemy will not 
succeed in their views without considerable loss. Any ad- 
vantage they may gain, I trust, will cost them dear.' 

Notwithstanding the difficulties which -Washington had to 
encounter, he maintained his positions, and availed himself 
of every circumstance which might encourage his troops or 
improve their discipline. He animated them by his exhorta- 
tions and example ; he told them that the day was approach- 
ing which would decide whether the American people were 
to be freemen or slaves ; and he informed them that the hap- 
piness of myriads, yet unborn, depended on their courage 
and conduct. He promised rewards to those who should 
distinguish themselves by acts of extraordinary bravery, and 
threatened such as were doubtful or dilatory with the utmost 
severity of punishment, if they should desert the cause in 
which they were engaged. The time was at hand when the 
effect of these exhortations was to be ascertained. 

In the month of August, 1776, the English made a descent 
upon Long Island, with 40 pieces of cannon, and undercover 
of their ships. On a peninsula, formed by the East River 
and Gowanus Cove, and constituting a part of the same 
island, was General Putnam, strongly fortified, and awaiting 
with his detachment the approach of the king's troops. Be- 
tween the armies was a range of hills, the principal. pass 
through which was near a place called Flatbush. At this 
place the Hessians, forming the centre of the royalists, took 
their station. The left wing, under the orders of General 
Grant, was close upon the shore ; and the right, commanded 
by General Clinton, Earl Percy, and Lord Cornwallis, and 
comprehending the chief strength of the British forces, ap- 



What were his expressions in writ- 
ing to congress ? 

What was the substance of his appeal 
to the troops ? 

What movement was made by the 
British in August ? 



Where was General Putnam sta- 
tioned ? 
Wliere were the Hessians posted ? 
The British left and right wings ? 



2?0 



DEFEAT ON LONG ISLAND. 



preached the opposite coast of Flat Land. General Putnam 
had directed that all the passes should be securi'd by strong 
detachments of the provincial troops. The orders to this 
purpose, though not disobeyed, were not complied with to 
the extent that the general required ; and one road through 
the hills, of the utmost importance, was entirely neglected — 
an oversigjit which was speedily communicated to the Bri- 
tish, and which they were too wise not to improve to their 
advantage. 

On the evening of the 26lh, Generals Howe and Clinton 
drew off the right wing of the English army, in order to gain 
the heights. Nearly about day-break, he reached the pass 
undiscovered by the Americans, and immediately took pos- 
session of it. The detachment under Lord Percy followed ; 
and when the day appeared, the royalists advanced into the 
level country between the hills and Brooklyn, a village situ- 
ated on the peninsula where the Americans were encamped. 

Without loss of time, Howe and Clinton fell upon the rear 
of the provincials, and the Hessians attacking them in front 
at the same instant, neither valour nor skill could save them 
from a defeat. Inspirited, however, by their generals, and by 
the presence of Washington, they continued the engagement 
for a while, and fought with the bravery of men whom the 
love of freedom animates to deeds of heroism ; but, pressed 
by superior numbers, and thrown into confusion, they gave 
way on every side, and fled precipitately to the woods. 

Nor was this the only part of the army which suffered ; 
the right wing, which opposed General Grant, experienced a 
similar fate. They fought bravely, and maintained their 
ground till informed of the defeat of the left wing, when they 
retreated in confusion; and, in order to avoid the enemy, who 
were far advanced on their rear, the greater part of them 
attempted to escape along the dike of a mill-dam, and through 
a marsh, where many of them perislied ; but a remnant re- 
gained the camp. Of a regiment consisting of young gentle- 
men from Maryland, the greater part was cut in pieces, and 
not one of those who survived escaped without a wound. 

Tlic British soldiers behaved with their usual courage, and 
it was with difficulty that they were restrained from instantly 

What orders had Putnam given ? 
What was the consequence of their 

bcin;; neglected ? 
What was done on the evening of 

the 26th ? 
What was done by the royalists at 

day-break ? 



What was effected by Howe and 
Clinton ? 

What was the fate of the American 
rijjht wing i" 

What is said of a Maryland regi- 
ment ? 

What is said of the British soldiers ? 



RETREAT FROM LONG ISLAND. 221 

attacking the American camp ; but General Howe, who al- 
ways exercised a laudable care of the lives of his men, checked 
their impetuosity ; believing that, without any great loss, he 
could compel the Americans to surrender, or to evacuate their 
camp. 

On that disastrous day, the Americans lost 2,000 men in 
killed, woundei^, and prisoners ; among the latter were Ge- 
nerals Sullivan, WoodhuU, and Lord Stirling. They also 
lost 6 pieces of artillery. The acknowledged British loss 
was 21 officers, and 346 privates, killed, wounded, and taken. 

A retreat from Long Island now became absolutely neces- 
sary ; and it was effected on the 30th of August, without the 
loss of a man. 

After the evacuation of Long Island by the Americans, pro- 
posals for an accommodation were made by Lord Howe. 
But as his lordship was not authorised to treat with congress 
as a legal assembly, he invited such of its members as were 
desirous of peace to a private conference. To this invitation 
the congress replied that, as they were the representatives of 
the free and independent states of America, it was not possi- 
ble for them to send any of their number to confer with the 
English commanders, in their individual capacity ; but that, 
as it was exceedingly to be wished that an accommodation 
should take place, on reasonable terms, they would direct a 
committee to receive the proposals of the British government. 
Accordingly, they nominated for this purpose, Dr. Franklin, 
Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Rutledge, all zealous and faithful 
to the cause of liberty. But, notwithstanding the disposition 
of Lord Howe, which was certainly towards peace, and the 
late misfortunes of the provincial troops, the conference was 
altogether ineffectual ; his lordship would not acknowledge 
the deputies as the commissioners of a free people ; and the 
deputies wound not treat with him on any other condition. 
It was resolved, therefore, on both sides, to prosecute the war 
with all their vigour and their utmost resources. 

This conference, although ineffectual with respect to the 
object immediately in view, was of considerable service to the 
Americans. It arrested General Howe in the career of vic- 



Of General Howe ? 

What loss did the Americans sustain? 

The British .' 

When did the Americans retreat 

from Long Island ? 
Who now proposed a conference ? 
What was the reply of congress ? 

19 



Who composed the committee of con- 
gress j" 

What was its result ? 

What was then resolved on both sides ? 

What were the good eflfects of this 
conference ? 



222 



WASHINGTON S PLAN OF OPERATIONS. 



tory, and suspended, during its progress, the operations of ihe 
campaign. It afforded a pause to the dispirited Americans ; 
and gave them time to rally their drooping spirits ; a matter, 
in their circumstances, of no sliglit importance. 

The provincial army, under the command of Washington, 
was now stationed in the vicinity of New York. They had 
erected many hatteries near the place, and fcom these they 
kept up an incessant fire on the British ships. Between the 
armies lay the East River, which the royalists, for some days, 
had manifested a desire to cross. Accordingly, they landed 
on the opposite shore, at Kipp's Bay, nearly three miles dis- 
tant from New York ; and marching rapidly towards the city, 
they obliged the Americans to abandon their works and re- 
treat. Leaving the town itself, and their baggage, provisions, 
and military stores, in possession of the British, the Americans 
withdrew to the northern part of the island, where the chief 
strength of their forces was collected. Here Washington 
determined to wait the approach of the king's troops ; and in 
the mean time he used every method in his power to restore 
the courage of his soldiers, and elevate their fallen hopes. 
He had long ago formed that plan of operations which is 
usually successful against an invading army ; though with 
the intention of deviating from it as circumstances might 
require. It was his design, at present, not to risk a general 
engagement, but to harass the English by continual skirmishes, 
by cutting off their supplies and exhausting their patience. 
The object of the British general was exactly the contrary of 
this; his safety, as well as his success, lay in bringing the 
Americans speedily to action, and in terminating the war, if 
possible, by a single blow. 

The fortune of the royalists was now predominant. In 
almost every attack the superiority of regular discipline had 
been shown. Washington was forced to quit his strong posi- 
tion at King's Bridge, on New York island, and saved his 
army I)y retiring towards the main land of Connecticut. He 
was followed by the English general as soon as the troops 
could be landed, and the proper reinforcements had ar- 
rived. 

After some ineffectual skirmishing, both parlies met at a 
place called the White Plains ; the royalists began the assault, 
and made such an impression on tlie American lines, that 



Whnt is said of the provincial army ? 

Of the royalists ? 

Whither did the Americans retreat ? 



What was WasluDgton's plan of 

operations ? 
Whither was he compelled to retire ? 



RETREAT THUOUGH THE JERSEYS. 



223 



Washington was compelled to retreat. He withdrew in good 
order, and occupied an advantageous post behind the river 
Croton. 

Howe, finding himself unable to bring on a general action, 
relinquished the pursuit, and employed his troops in reducing 
and taking possession of Forts Washington and Lee, the first 
on the island of New York, not far from King's Bridge; and 
the other on the Jersey side of North River, nearly opposite 
the former. This he accomplished in November; and the 
Americans were thus driven, with considerable loss, from New 
York island, and from the Jersey bank of the North River. 

On the fall of Forts Washington and Lee, General Wash- 
ington with his little army consisting of about 3,000 men, ill 
armed, worse clad, and almost without tents, blankets, or 
utensils for cooking their provisions, commenced a disastrous 
retreat through the Jerseys. He first retired behind the 
Hackensack ; thence to Nfewark, and thence to Brunswick. 
AVhile there, the term of service of many of his troops expired, 
and he had the mortification to see them abandon him. From 
Brunswick he retreated to Trenton ; and there received a re- 
inforcement of about 2,000 men from Pennsylvania. He now 
collected and guarded all the boats on the Delaware, and sent 
his sick and wounded, and his heavy artillery and baggage 
across the Delaware. After remaining at Trenton some time, 
and even advancing towards Princeton, he leart that Earl 
Cornwallis, strongly reinforced, was marching against him ; 
and on the 8th of December, he passed the Delaware at Tren- 
ton ferry, the van of the British army appearing, just as his 
rear-guard had crossed. 

While retreating through the Jerseys, Washington had 
earnestly desired General Lee, who had been left in command 
of the division of the army at North Castle, to hasten his 
march to tire Delaware and join the -main army. But for 
reasons of his own, Lee was in no haste to obey, and by his 
carelessness in getting separated fromme main body of his 
troops he was actually made prisoner, and put in close con- 
finement by the English. General Sullivan, who succeeded 
in the command, immediately joined Washington, and thus 



What was the result of the battle of 

White Plains ? 
How did General Howe employ his 

troops ? 
In what condition was the American 

army now compelled to retreat 

through the Jerseys ? 



What happened at Brunswick ? 
Where did Washington cross the 

Delaware ? 
What is said of General Lee ? 
Of General Sullivan ? 



224 WASHINGTON APPOINTED DICTATOR. 

increased liis force to nearly 7,000. Still his men were daily 
leaving him, and of those who remained, the greater part were 
raw troops, ill provided, and all of them dispirited by defeat. 
General Howe, with an army of 27,000 men, completely 
armed and disciplined, well provided, and flushed with suc- 
cess, lay on the opposite side of the Delaware, stretching his 
encampments from Brunswick to the neighbourhood of Phila- 
delphia, and was expected to cross as soon as the river should 
be frozen over. 

To the Americans this was the most gloomy period of the 
contest; and their affairs appeared in a very hopeless condi- 
tion. To deepen the gloom of this period, so alarming to all 
true patriots, an expedition, under Clinton and Sir Peter 
Parker, was sent to Rhode Island and took possession of it, 
without resistance, on the very day that Washington crossed 
the Delaware. 

On the 12th of December congress quitted Philadelphia, 
and retired to Baltimore. On the 20th they conferred on 
General Washington full and ample power to raise forces and 
appoint officers ; to apply to any of the states for the aid of 
their militia ; to form magazines of provisions at his pleasure ; 
to 'displace all officers under the rank of brigadier general, and 
fill the vacancies thus created by officers of his own choice; 
to take for the use of the army whatever he might want, if the 
inhabitants would not sell it, allowing a reasonable price for 
the same ; and to arrest and confine all persons who should 
refuse to take the continental currency. These powers, which 
have been truly denominated dictatorial, were vested in the 
commander in chief for six months, unless sooner determined 
by congress. 

The conferring oCsuch ample powers on Washington is at 
once an evidence of the desperate condition of public affairs at 
this time, and of the perfect confidence reposed in him by his 
countrymen. 

Ilowe, who was well aware of the dispirited state of the 
colonists generally, now put forth a proclamation offering 
pardons to all who would desert the American cause. Many 
men of property, who were desirous of saving it from confisca- 
tion, embraced the offer ; and a few timid spirits among other 
classes of society followed their example ; among the rest, to 



Of Grnornl TIowo nnd his army ? 
Of the Ameiicaiis and their condi- 
tion } 
AVhut islnntl wns taken by the British } 
^Vhithcr did congress retire ? 



What powers did congress confer on 
Oeneral W:ishin^ton .'' 

What was done tiy General Howe ? 

What was the cflcct of his proclama- 
tion ? 



BATTLE OF TRENTON. 



225 




Battle of Trenton. 

their eternal disgrace, two who had been members of congress, 
Galloway and Allen. 

Still in this alarming posture of affairs,, when an enemy 
near 30,000 strong was separated only by a river, expected 
every day to freeze, from the main army of the republic con- 
sisting of about one-fifth that number, the American leaders 
maintained an erect posture, and their noble commander in 
chief dared to meditate an assault on the lately victorious 
British. 

He perceived the security of Howe, and the advantage 
which the scattered cantonment of his troops presented to the 
American arms. ' Now,' exclaimed he, on being informed 
of the widely dispersed state of the British troops, 'now is 
the time toclip their wings, when they are so spread ;' and, 
accordingly resolving to give them an unexpected blow, he 
planned an attack on the Hessians at Trenton. 

On the evening of the 25th of December, he crossed the 
Delaware, marched all night, attacked the Hessians, who had 
not the slightest intelligence of his approach, and routed them 
with great slaughter. Colonel Rawle, who commanded the 
ro5'alists in that quarter, did every thing which could be ex- 
pected from a brave and experienced officer ; but the attack 
was sudden and impetuous ; and it was directed by Wash- 
ington himself. The Hessians gave way on all sides ; their 
artillery was seized, and one thousand of their best troops 
remained prisoners of war. Washington recrossed to his 
camp with the loss of but nine of his men. 

Some of the colonial reinforcements having now arrived, 



"What wore the condition and force of 

the two armies ? 
What did Washington design ? 



What remark did he make ? 
Describe the battle of Trenton. 
What was its result ? 



226 BATTLE OF PRINCETON. 

the provincial army was not only increased in numbers, but 
improved in courage and zeal. Emboldened by his success, 
Washington resolved to leave Philadelphia, and make an- 
other attempt against the British forces. At tlie beginning 
of the year, he again crossed the Delaware, and marched to 
Trenton. 

An alarm had already been spread through the British army 
by the late success and increased force of Washington's army. 
A strong detachment, under General Grant, marched to Prince- 
ton ; and Earl Cornwallis, who was on the point of sailing 
for England, was ordered to leave New York, and resume 
his command in the Jerseys. 

On joining General Grant, Lord Cornwallis immediately 
marched against Trenton, where Washington was encamped 
at the head of about 5,000 men. On his approach, Wash- 
ington crossed a rivulet, named the Assumpinck, and took 
post on some high ground, with the rivulet in his front. On 
the advance of the British army, on the afternoon of the 2d 
of January, 1777, a smart cannonade ensued, and continued 
till niglu. Lord Cornwallis intending to renew the attack next 
morning ; but, soon after midnight, General Washington 
silently decamped, leaving his fires burning, his sentinels 
advanced, and small parties to guard the fords of the rivulet, 
and, by a circuitous route through Allentown, proceeded 
towards Princeton. 

About half way between Trenton and Princeton the Ame- 
ricans encountered three regiments, under Colonel Mawhood, 
who were advancing to join Cornwallis. A battle ensued, in 
which the British were worsted, and most of them compelled 
to retreat towards Brunswick. Washington pressed on to- 
wards Princeton, where one regiment had been left, and suc- 
ceeded in taking 300 of them prisoners. The rest escaped 
by a precipitate flight. The British lost about 100 men 
in this affair; the Americans less. But they had to regret 
the loss of one of their bravest and most valuable oflicers, 
General Mercer. In this action James Monroe was wounded, 
who subsequently became president of the republic. 

Washington was still pressed by Cornwallis with a vastly 
superior force. He retreated towards Morristown, and, on 



Wliat was Washington's next movc- 

tnont ? 
What was done by the British ? 
Describe the movement of General 

Grant. 
Of Washingtdn. 
Wliat took place January 2d, 1777 ? 



On the nif^ht succeeding ? 

On the way to Princeton ? 

At Princeton ' 

What officer fell in this action? 

What distinguished oJticer was 

wounded .' 
Whither did Washington retreat f 



WASHINGTON RECONQUERS THE JERSEYS. 



227 



crossing Millstone river, broke down the bridge at Kingston, 
to impede the progress of the British ; and there the pursuit 
ended. 

Both armies were completely worn out, the one being as 
unable to pursue as the other was to retreat. Washington 
took a position at Morristown, and Lord Cornwallis reached 
Brunswick, where all was alarm and confusion, in conse- 
quence of the battle of Princeton, and the expected approach 
of the Americans. 

At Morristown, Washington now fixed his head quarters. 
This place is situated among hills of difficult access, with a 
fine country on the rear, from which he could easily draw 
supplies ; and he might retire across the Delaware, if neces- 
sary. Giving his troops little repose, he overran both East 
and West Jersey, and even made himself master of the coast 
opposite Staten Island. With a greatly inferior army, by 
judicious movements, he wrested from the British almost all 
their conquests in the Jerseys. Brunswick and Amboy were 
the only posts which remained in their hands, and even in 
these they were not a little harassed and straitened. The 
American detachments were in a state of unwearied activity, 
frequently surprising and cutting off the British advanced 
guards, keeping them in continual alarm and melting down 
their numbers by a desultory and indecisive warfare. It was 
by the operations of this campaign that Washington gained 
for himself among European tacticians the name of the Ame- 
rican Fabius. By judiciously delaying the decisive action, 
he conquered a greatly superior force of the enemy. 

Thus terminated the campaign of 1776, not altogether un- 
favourably to the American interest. The whole country 
sonth of the Jerseys was entirely freed from the British troops. 
Rhode Island, indeed, was wholly in their possession ; and 
so was the city of New York ; and while they kept their 
position in the latter place, they were so nearly in a state of 
siege that their situation was scarcely more comfortable than 
that of General Gage and his army had been in Boston during 
the preceding winter. 

Meantime the people throughout the colonies, who had 
watched, with breathless and terrible anticipation, the unfor- 



What was the state of both armies ? 
Where did Washington fix his head 

quarters ? 
What was his situation ? 
What country did he overrun ? 
What did he wrest from the British ? 



What name did he gain by his opera- 
tions in this campaign ? 

What was the state oif affairs at the 
termination of the campaign of 
1776? 



228 



ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. 



tunate retreat of Washington through the Jerseys and his 
late critical situation at Pliiladelphia, were now inspirited by 
the news of his brilliant successes at Trenton and Princeton, 
and his subsequent expulsion of the enemy from all their 
important posts in the Jerseys. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1777. 



While General Washington was actively employed in the 
Jerseys in asserting the independence of America, congress 
could not afford him much assistance ; but that body was not 
backward in promoting the same cause by its enactments and 
recommendations. Hitherto the colonics had been united by 
no bond but that of their common danger and common love of 
liberty. Congress resolved to render the terms of their unioa 
more definite, to ascertain the rights and duties of the several 
colonies, and their mutual obligations towards each other. 
A committee was appointed to sketch the principles of the 
union or confederation. 

Tills committee presented a report in thirteen Articles of 
Confederation and Perpetual Union between tlie States, and 
proposed that, instead of calling themselves the United Co- 
lonies they should assume the name of the United States 
OF America; that each state should retain its sovereignty, 
freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, 
and right which was not by the confederation expressly dele- 
gated to the United States in congress assembled, and that 
they should enter into a firm league for mutual defence. 
The articles also defined the rights of the several states, and 
of their citizens ; the powers of congress ; and the mode of 
raising money from the respective states for the purposes of 
g ncral government and defence. 

These articles of confederation were adopted, after much 
discussion, and transmitted to the several state legislatures ; 
and, meeting tlu ir approbation, were ratified by all the dele- 
gates on the 15lh of November, 1777. They remained in 



What was the cflcct of Washinj^ton's 
success on thci)opular mind } 

What were tlie cliief provisions of 
the old Articles of Confederation ? 



What name was assumed to desig- 
nate the American nation ? 

When were these articles finally ra- 
tified i* 



AMERICAN FKIVATEEKS. 



229 



force, as the constitution of the countrv, until the adoption of 
the Federal Constitution, in 1788. 

The only provision which congress could at present make 
for the support of the army, was by the emission of bills of 
credit to pass at their nominal value in all payments and 
dealings throughout the states. This soon became depre- 
ciated, and the attempts to sustain it, by fixing the prices of 
commodities, were abortive, and introduced confusion and 
misery, involving many families in ruin. It was a serious 
but unavoidable hinderance to all their subsequent operations 
during the war. 

In consequence of the hostilities with the colonies, the 
British West India Islands experienced a severe scarcity of 
provisions. When the fleet was about to return to England, 
an insurrection of tlie negroes of Jamaica was threatened. 
The military force of the island had been weakened by draughts 
to complete the army on the continent; and the ships of war 
were detained to assist in suppressing the disturbances of the 
negroes. By this delay the Americans gained time for equip- 
ping privateers, who succeeded in capturing many richly laden 
ships; and were permitted to sell their prizes in the ports of 
France, both in Europe and the West Indies. 

The British cabinet remonstrated against this unfriendly 
conduct of France ; but soon became satisfied that both France 
and Spain were in a state of active preparation for war. Par- 
liament met on the 31st of October; and, notwithstanding 
attempts were made for adopting conciliatory measures, it 
was resolved to support the ministry in a vigorous prosecution 
of the war. 

Congress was not less determined to maintain the indepen- 
dence of the United States at all hazards. Aware of the covert 
hostility of France towards Great Britain, they had already 
.sent commissioners to Paris, for the purpose of soliciting a 
loan of money, a supply of munitions of war, and an acknow- 
ledgment of the independence of the states. These commis- 
sioners were Dr. Franklin, Arthur Lee, and Silas Deane. 
Franklin was already known to the French as a philosopher 
and statesman ; and he became very popular in the capital. 



How long did they remain in force ? 
What is observed concerning the 

continental paper currency ? 
What had taken place in the West 

Indies ? 
How did the Americans take advan- 
■ tage of these events ? 
What was permitted by France ? 



20 



What is said of the British cabi- 
net ? 

Of France and Spain ? 

Of the parliament ? , 

Of congress ? 

Who were sent as commissioners to 
France ? 

For what purposes ? 



230 LA FAYETTE. 

The commissioners, however, were not yet successful in all 
their designs. Some arms were obtained privately, and the 
sale of prizes taken by the American privateers, in French 
ports, was still connived at ; but no public recognition of in- 
dependence, nor open support of the cause could be obtained. 

It was at this period that the Marquis de la Fayette, a young 
French nobleman of the highest rank and an immense fortune, 
resolved to devote himself to the cause of American liberty. 
Undismayed by the intelligence just received of the evacuatioa 
of New York, the loss of Fort Washington, the calamitous 
retreat through the Jerseys, and the other disasters of the 
campaign of 1776, he presented himself to Dr. Franklin, and 
afterwards to the otlier commissioners, and offered his services 
as a volunteer. They were so candid as to say that they 
could not in conscience urge him to proceed ; and assured 
him that they possessed not the means nor the credit for pro- 
curing a vessel for his passage. ' " Then," exclaimed the gal- 
lant and generous youth, *' I will provide my own ;" and it is 
a literal fact, that when our beloved country was too poor to 
offer him so much as a passage to her shores, he left, in his 
tender youth, the bosom of home, of happiness, of wealth, 
and of rank, to plunge in the dust and blood of our inauspi- 
cious struggle.'* 

He arrived in the spring of 1777 ; and was cordially re- 
ceived by Washington, and appointed by congress a major 
general in the army. His example was followed by many 
other French officers ; and he was afterwards mainly instru- 
mental in securing the friendship and alliance of the French 
government. 

During the disastrous campaign of 1776, a large number of 
American prisoners were taken and conveyed to New York, 
where they were confined in the most horrible of all dungeons, 
the British prison ships. There they endured sufl'erings 
which have seldom known a parallel in the annals of cruelty. 
But they bore all with the patience of martyrs, and the cou- 
rage of patriots. W'hon offered liberty and promotion, if they 
would join the royal party, they spurned the offer with con- 
tempt; and hundreds of them expired in captivity, rather than 
desert the cause to which they had devoted themselves. 



What did thoy effect f 

Give an account of La Fa3'ette and his 

generous devotion to the American 

cause. 



When did he arrive in this country ? 
What appointment did he receive? 
What is said of the prison sliips .' 
Of the American prisoners ? 



* Mr. Everett's Phi Beta Kappa Oration. 



CONNECTICUT INVAUED. 



231 




La Faypue offering his services to Dr Franklin 

The campaign of 1777 opened on both sides with a series 
of rapid incursions and bold predatory attacks. On the 23d 
of March, General Howe detached Colonel Bird, with about 
500 men, under convoy of a frigate and some other armed 
vessels, to attack the Americans at Peekskill, on the North 
river, about 50 miles above New York. General McDougall, 
who was posted there with about 250 men, hearing of his 
approach, set fire to the stores and buildings, and retreated. 
Colonel Bird landed, and after completing the destruction of 
the stores, re-embarked and returned to New York. 

On the 13th of April, Lord Cornwallis and General Grant, 
with 2,000 men, attempted to surprise and cut off Gener?! 
Lincoln, who, with 500 men, was posted at Bound Brook, 
seven miles from Brunswick. But by a bold and rapid move- 
ment, Lincoln, when almost surrounded, forced his way be- 
tween the British columns, and escaped with the loss of 60 
men, three fieldpieces, and some baggage. 

On the 25th of April, General Tryon left New York with 
2,000 men and a proper naval escort, landed on the Connecti- 
cut shore, between Fairfield and Norwalk, and marched to 
Danbury, where he succeeded in destroying a large quantity 
of provisions and tents, belonging to the American army, and 
but weakly guarded. On his return, however, he was at- 
tacked by Generals Sullivan, Arnold, and Wooster, with about 
500 troops, and 200 militia, and did not effect his retreat 
■without a loss of about 400 men, killed, wounded, and pri- 
soners. General Wooster was killed in the early part of this 



How did the campnign of 1777 

open ? 
Wliat took place on the 23d of 

March ? 



On the 13th of April ? 
On the 251 h of April? 
IIow did General Tryon fare on his 
return ? 



232 CAPTURE OF GENERAL PRESCOTT. 

affair, lie was an able officer, and his loss was much la- 
mented by the Americans, 

These attacks of the British were retaliated by Generals 
Stevens and Parsons. The former of whom assailed the 
royalists at Piscataway, and was only repulsed after a furious 
engagement, and a heavy loss on the side of the enemy. Tlie 
latter detached Colonel Meigs, from Guilford to Sag llarbour 
on Long Island, where he succeeded in burning a large quan- 
tity of stores belonging to the British, and 12 of their vessels. 
In this affair the enemy lost 96 men, of whom six were killed 
and the remainder made prisoners. The Americans returned 
without the loss of a man to Guilford. 

Another exploit of the Americans deserves notice in this 
place, although it did not happen till the 10th of July. Colonel 
Barton, with 40 men, officers and volunteers, passed over, by 
night, from Warwick Neck to Rhode Island, and succeeded 
in surprising the British general, Prescott, in his quarters, in 
bed, and, without giving him time to dress himself, hurried 
him on board, with on8,of his aides-de-camp, and conveyed 
him safely to Providence. This event was very mortifying 
to General Prescott, and to the royal army ; but occasioned 
much exultation among the Americans. Hitherto General 
Howe had absolutely refused to release General Lee ; but he 
soon agreed to exchange him for General Prescott ; and Ge- 
neral Lee again joined the American army. 

Having noticed these desultory enterprises, we now turn 
to the two main armies under their respective commanders in 
chief. 

In the beginning of June, General Howe, having received 
reinforcements from England, left New York", and passed into 
the Jerseys with 30,000 men. General Washiiiiiton, to resist 
this powerful army, could muster no more than 7,300 men 
fit for duty. He occupied a good position at Middlebrook, 
about nine miles from Brunswick, where Howe assembled his 
army on the 9th of June. He marclied towards the D( laware, 
in order to draw Washington from his strong position ; but 
not succeeding in tliis, he returned to Brunswick, couiniittiiig 
terrible devastations in his march. On the 22d of June, lie 
retreated to Amboy, an American detachment, under General 
Greene, hanging upon his rear and frequently attacking it. 



What was done by General Stevens > 
By General Parsons .' 
By Colonel Barton ? 
For whom was General Prescott ex- 
cJiangcd .' 



What was done by General Howe iu 

tl»e beginning of June ' 
IIow was he foiled by Washington ? 
How did he revenge himself ? 
Who harassed hiin on his retreat? 



GENERAL HOWE SAILS TO THE SOUTH. 



233 



General Washington advanced to Quibbletown, that he might 
still be near the British army. 

Howe finding it impossible to bring Washington, with his 
greatly inferior Ibrce, to a pitched battle, sent off his baggage 
to Staten Island ; and ordered a part of his troops to follow ; 
but learning that Washington had left his strong ground, and 
was advancing in pursuit of him, he suddenly recalled his 
troops from Staten Island, and advanced from Amboy with his 
whole army, in hopes to accomplish his great object. Corn- 
wallis being sent out with a strong detachment on the 26th of 
June, fell in with a numerous body of the Americans, under 
Lord Stirling and General Maxwell, After a smart engage- 
ment, the Americans retired, with some loss; and General 
Washington, apprised of the unexpected movement of the 
British army, returned towards the mountains and regained" 
the passes which it was the intention of Cornwallis to seize. 

Finding liimself thus baffled, General Howe, on the 30tb 
of June, crossed to Staten Island ; and on the 5th of July 
embarked his army, to the number of 16,000, on board of 
transports in order to sail to the southward. The remainder 
of the army was left witli Sir Henry Clinton to defend New 
York, The fleet did not leave Sandy Hook till the 25th of July,. 

Howe's original intention was to sail up the Delaware to 
Philadelphia, but learning that the Americans had obstructed 
the navigation of that river, he entered Chesapeake bay and 
landed at the head of Elk river. 

Anxious to prevent his approach to Philadelphia, Washing- 
ton marched to meet him. Howe was not ready to leave the 
head of the Elk river before the 3d of September. On his 
advance, Washington retired across the Brandywine creek, 
and took post with his main body at Chadd's Ford, sending^ 
out General Maxwell with 1,000 light troops, to skirmish 
with the British and retard their progress. 

On the 11th of September, the British array advanced, 
crossed the Brandywine at different points, and attacked the 
main army of the Americans, who sustained the assault with 
intrepidity for some time, but at length gave way. General 



To wlrat island did he commence a 
retreat i" 

What brought him back ? 

What happened on the 26th of June ■' 

Whitber did Washin°:ton retire ? 

When did Howe abandon the Jer- 
seys ? 



Who was placed in command at New 
York ? 

What course did Howe take ? 

Where did he land ? 

What was done by Wasliington ? 

Describe the battle of the Brandy- 
wine. 

What was its result ? 



2^* 



234 



BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN. 



Washington effected a retreat with his artillery and baggage 
to Chester, where he halted, within eight miles of the British 
army, till the next moining, when he retreated to Philadel- 
phia. 

The battle of the Brandywine was the first in which La- 
fayette drew his sword in the American cause. He received 
a wound in the leg, but kept his position, and continued to 
cheer and encourage the troops to the end of the engagement. 
Several other French ofHcers were engaged in this battle, as 
well as Count Pulaski, a Polish nobleman, who had also 
accepted a commission in the American army. 

"Washington remained in Philadtdphia two days, collecting 
his scattered troops and replacing his stores ; and then pro- 
ceeded towards Lancaster. 

Congress left Philadelphia on the 18th of September, and 
proceeded to Lancaster and afterwards to Yorktown. On the 
23d, General Howe encamped with the main body of his 
army at Germantown, seven miles from Philadelphia; and on 
the 26th, with a detachment of his troops, he took peaceable 
possession of the city. 

The British now employed themselves in endeavouring to 
clear the Delaware of the chevaux-de-frise of timber and iron 
spikes which had been run across it, below the city, and were 
guarded by fortifications on the banks and islands of the river, 
and by floating batteries. 

While they were thus employed, Washington with his army 
reinforced to 8,000 continental troops and 3,000 militia, lay 
encamped at Shippack creek, on the Schuylkill, about 20 
miles from Philadelphia. Taking advantage of the diversion 
occasioned by Howe's operations on the river, he determined 
to attempt a surprise of the British camp at Germantown. 
With about 2,500 men, he left Shippack creek on the even- 
ing of the 3d October, and at dawn, next morning, attacked 
the royal army. After a smart conflict, he drove in the 
advanced guard, and marched on towards the main body. 
But five companies of the British having thrown themselves 
into a large stone house belonging to Mr. Chew, nearly half 
the American army was occupied for some time in attempting 
to dislodge them. This circumstance disconcerted the original 
plan of Washington ; and a thick fog which prevailed during 



Whither diil \Vashinp;ton retreat ? 
Who was wouiuiotl in this battle ? 
Whither did Washington next re- 
treat ? 
What is said of congress f 



Of General Howe ? 
Of the British P 

Give an account of the battle of Ger- 
mantown. 



BATTLE OF REDBANK. 235 







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Battle of the Brandywine. 

the engagement, gave a character of confusion to all the ope- 
rations of the day, which renders it difficult to understand or 
describe them. Tlie Americans, however, were foiled in their 
attempt to surprise the British camp, although the fog covered 
their retreat, and they were able to retire in tolerable order. 
The Americans lost 900 men in this engagement, of whom 
200 were killed and 400 were taken prisoners. The British 
acknowledged a loss of 600, killed and wounded. 

They now proceeded to attempt the opening of the Dela- 
ware to their fleet, which was wailing to proceed to Philadel- 
phia. The upper line of chevaux-de-frise was protected by a 
work named Fort Mifflin, erected on Mud Island, and by a 
redoubt called Redbank, on the Jersey side. 

Having withdrawn his army from Germantown and en- 
camped in the vicinity of Philadelphia, Howe despatched 
Count Donop, a German officer, with three battalions of Hes- 
sian grenadiers, the regiment of Mirbach, and some light 
infantry, to reduce Redbank. They reached the fort on the 
21st of October, and Count Donop summoned the garrison 
to surrender, but Colonel Christopher Greene, of Rhode 
Island, who commanded the Americans, answered that he 
would defend his fort to tlie last extremity. An assault was 
immediately commenced, and after a desperate conflict, in 
which Count Donop was mortally wounded, the enemy was 
compelled to retire, with a severe loss. Count Donop was 
made prisoner, and soon died of his wounds. The ships 
which were to co-operate in the attack, were some of them 
grounded ; and one was burnt by the Americans. 



What was the loss of the Americans ? I What did the British now attempt ? 
Of the British } Describe the battle of Hedbank. 



236 



CAPTURE OF FORT MIFFLIN. 



The British afterwards sent a very heavy sea and land 
force against the little garrison of 300 men, at Fort Mifflin, 
which protected the second line of chevaux-de-frise, and after 
a terrible cannonade, which was smartly returned, they suc- 
ceeded in beating down the walls of the fort, and dismounting 
its guns. The garrison then retired, by means of iheir ship- 
ping. Two days afterwards, the post at Redbank being no 
longer tenable, was evacuated also. A free passage for the 
British fleet to Philadelphia was thus secured, although at 
the cost of great exertion and many lives, on the part of the 
enemy. 

No other important military transactions took place in this 
quarter, until Washington retired to winter quarters, at Valley 
Forge, about 26 miles from Philadelphia. The two armies at 
that time numbered about 14,000 each. Washington, during 
the early part of the campaign, owing to his want of force, 
had been obliged to occupy strong positions and be wary in 
all his movements. He had suffered defeat at Brandywine, 
and repulse at Germantown, but he had conducted his opera- 
tions so well, that Howe had gained nothing by the campaign 
but good winter quarters in Philadelphia. 

While the events just related were passing in the middle 
states, most important transactions were going on in the north, 
to which we shall now turn our attention. 

The British ministry had resolved to prosecute the war 
vigorously on the northern frontier of the United States, and 
appointed General Burgoyne, who had served under General 
Carleton in the preceding campaign, to the command of the 
royal army in that quarter. General Burgoyne had visited 
England during the winter, concerted with the ministry a plan 
of the campaign, and given an estimate of the force necessary 
for its execution. Besides a fine train of artillery and a suita- 
ble body of artillery men, an arm}', consisting of more than 
7,000 veteran troops, excellently equipped, anti in a high state 
of discipline, was put under his command. Besides this re- 
gular force, he had a great number of Canadians and savages. 

This force was destined to invade the United States by the 
way of Lake Champlain and the Hudson, unite with the 
British army then at New York, and thus cut ofl' all commu- 
nication between the northern states and those lying south of 



Describe the battle of Fort Mifllin. 
What was at length secured by the 

British ■• 
What is remarked of the subsequent 

military operations of the season .' 



Of the two generals in chief i" 

Who was appointed to the command 

of the British army in the north ? 
What force had he ? 
What was the plan of the canip«u^ / 



OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH. 



237 




ft Investment of TiconJeroga. 

the Hudson. New England was then to be over-run and 
reduced to obedience, as a preparation for the complete sub- 
jugation of the southern country. 

The first attempts of Burgoyne were as successful as the 
condition of his army entitled the ministry to expect. The 
Indians, gained by presents, or stimulated by the hopes of 
plunder, joined him in considerable numbers. Burgoyne, to 
quiet his conscience, rendered somewhat uneasy by the em- 
ployment of such auxiliaries, exhorted them to kill none but 
such as appeared in arms against them, and to spare the 
women and children, whom the fortune of war might put into 
their hands. The Indians promised compliance with this in- 
junction, and paid not the slightest regard to it afterwards. 

On the 2d of July, the English army encamped on both 
sides of the narrow channel which connects Lakes Champlain 
and George, with a naval force on the water, near Ticonde- 
roga. To this strong fortress the Americans had retired at 
the end of the preceding year ; and now it was garrisoned 
with about 6,000 men, under General St. Clair. 

The approaches of the British were rapid and decisive. 
Soon after their appearance before the American works, they 
took possession of Siigar-hill ; an eminence which overlooked 
the fortifications, and enabled them to place their batteries to 
great advantage, but which the Americans had supposed it 
was impossible to ascend. On the 5th, every step had been 
taken to render the investment complete. 

St. Clair, however, conscious of his inability to defend the 



What succp's lind ho at fii-«t ? 
Who were General Biirgoyne's allies? 
What humane advice did he give 
them ? 



Did they observe it ? 

What fortress was first invested ? 

Describe the siege. 

What was the result ? 



238 toss ^F TiCONDEROGA-. 

place, and anxious at the same time to avoid the necessity 
of surrendering his troops prisoners of war, abandoned the 
works, when he was nearly surroimded, and retreated to 
Skeensborough, Previous to his departure, he had ordered 
the baggage and military stores to be sent by water -to the 
same place ; but the vessels which were employed for tliat 
purpose, were attacked by the English ships, and either de- 
stroyed or rendered unfit for service ; and in consequenc* of 
this disaster, the Americans set fire to their boats and fortifi- 
cations at Skeensborough, and retreated towards Fort Ann. 
On land the royalists were not less successful. Colonel 
Francis, and a body of provincial troops, were defeated with 
great slaughter by General Reidesel ; and by the skilful 
manceuvring of Burgoyne, St. Clair was prevented from 
reaching Fort Ann. An engagement then took place in the 
woods, in which the Americans were defeated, and compelled 
to retire to Fort Edward, on the Hudson, where St. Clair 
joined General Schuyler on the 12th of July. 

The loss of Ticonderoga was one for which the United 
States were not prepared. Neither the strength of the in- 
vading army, nor the weakness of the garrison appears to 
have been understood. It was universally believed that the 
whole force of Canada did not exceed 0,000 men ; and there- 
fore no adequate measures were taken to enable St. Clair to 
maintain his position. Washington complained of this in- 
distinct information and its fatal consequences in a letter ad- 
dressed to General Schuyler, the commander of the northern 
army, and at the same time expressed a hope that the confi- 
dence, which Burgoyne derived from success, would hurry 
liim into measures, which in their consequences miglit be 
favourable to the Americans. In this expectation he was not 
disappointed. 

The army of General Schuyler did not exceed 4,400 men. 
With that force he could not face the British army ; and in 
order to gain time, he sent detachments of his men, who 
broke down the bridges; cut down trees so as to fall across 
the roads, and intermingled their branches, and threw every 
possible obstacle in the way of Burgoyne's advance. He 
also solicited reinforcements of regular troops ; called on the 
militia of New England to join the regular army, and used 



How did St. Clair csrape ? 
What was done by General Reidesel? 
By Burgoyne ? 

What was the result of the engage- 
ment in the woods } 



What is said of the loss of Ticonde- 

roija ' 
Of Washington? 
Of Schuyler' 



ADVANCE or BlTRGOTNir. 



239» 



all his persanal influence in the surrounding country, to in- 
spire the people with mililaiy ardour and patriotic enthu- 
siasm. The militia of New England were not willing to 
serve under General Schuyler ; and General Lincoln was 
appointed to raise and command them. Arnold was directed 
to join the northern army ; Colonel Morgan and his riflemen 
were also attached to it ,' and tents, artillery, and other muni- 
lions of war, were diligently provided. 

Meantime Burgoyne, who had been obliged to halt at 
Skeensborough, to rest his troops and bring forward his artil- 
lery, baggage and military stores, was commencing his march 
towards the Hudson, greatly elated with his past success. 
His progress was so eflectually retarded by the obstructions 
which General Schuyler's men had thrown in his way, that 
he was frequently occupied a whole day in advancing with 
the army a single mite. It was not till the 30th of July, that 
he reached Fort Edward, which General Schuj-ler had quitted 
a short time before retreating to Saratoga. Burgoyne might 
have much more easily reached Fort Edward by the way of 
Lake George ; but he had been led up the South river in pur- 
suit of the retreating Americans ; and he persevered in that 
difficult route, lest he should discourage his troops by a retro- 
grade movement. 

At Fort Edward, Burgoyne found it necessary to pause in 
his career. He vvas greatly in want of provisions and 
draught horses ; and his carriages had been broken and 
needed repairs. It was not till the 15th of August that he 
succeeded in transporting a quantity of supplies from Fort 
George. 

In order to obtain a further supply, he had detached 
Colonel Baum, a German officer with 500 men, partly 
cavalry, two pieces of artillery and 100 Indians to surprise 
Bennington, in Vermont, and seize a large deposit of car- 
riages, corn, flour and other necessaries which had been col- 
lected by the Americans in that place. 

General Starke, with the New Hampshire militia, 400 
strong, happened to be in that vicinity, on his way to join 
General Schuyler. He heard first of the approach of the 
Indians, and soon afterwards of the regular force. He col- 



Of the militia of New England ? 
Of General Lincoln and Burgoyne ? 
Of Morgan and his riflemen ? 
Of Burgoyne > 

What difficulties had he to encoun- 
ter ? 



When did he reach Fort Edward ? 

What mistake did he make ? 

What was his situation at Fort Ed- 
ward ? 

How did he attempt to obtain sup- 
plies > 



240 



BATTLE OF BENNINQTON. 



lected his brigade, sent expresses to the neighbouring militia 
to join him, and also to Colonel Warner's regiment at Man- 
chester. On the morning of the 14lh of August, he marched 
against the enemy, at tlie head of 700 men ; and sent Colonel 
Gregg, with a party of 200, to skirmish in their front, and 
retard their progress. He drew up his men in order of 
battle ; but, on coming in sight of him, Baum halted on ad- 
vantageous ground ; sent an express to Burgoyne informing 
him of his situation ; and fortified himself as well as circum- 
stances would permit. 

After some skirmishing, on the morning of the 16ih, Starke 
commenced a furious attack on the royal forces. Baum made 
a brave defence. The battle lasted two hours, during which 
he was assailed on every side by an incessant discharge of 
musketry. He was mortally wounded ; his troops were 
overpowered; a few of them escaped into the woods and 
fled, pursued by the Americans; the rest were killed or taken 
prisoners. ' 'I nus,' says a British historian, in wliose lan- 
guage we have chosen to record some of these events, ' with- 
out artillery, with old rusty firelocks, and with scarcely a 
bayonet, their militia entirely defeated 500 veterans, well 
armed, provided with two pieces of artillery, and defended 
by breastworks.' This was not the only subject of astonish- 
ment with which the Americans furnished their enemies 
during this campaign. 

After the victory, the greater part of the militia dispersed 
in quest of booty ; and this imprudence nearly proved fatal 
to them, for, on receiving Baum's express. General Bur- 
goyne had sent Colonel Breyman, with 500 men, to his as- 
sistance ; and if Colonel Warner's regiment of continentals 
had not arrived just as he came up and was attacking the 
scattered miUtia, they would have fared but indifferenUy. 
Breyman maintained the conflict till dark ; when, abandon- 
ing his artillery and baggage, he retreated, and, escaping 
under cover of the night, with a shattered remnant of his 
detachment regained the camp. 

Thus the victory at Bennington was complete. The Ame- 
ricans took 4 brass fieldpieces, 1,000 muskets (a very season- 
able supply for the ill-armed militia), 900 swords, and 4 



Wlio intercepted Baum ? 

How dill Baum prepare for action ? 

Describe the battle of Dcnning- 

ton. 
What does a British historian say of 

it? 



Of what imprudence were the Ame- 
ricans f;uilty ? 
How were they saved from its conso- 



(jucnces 



What supplies were obtained at Ben« 
nington ? 



FORT SCHUYLER INVESTED. 



241 




Siege of Fort Schuyler. 



baggage waggons. The British lost 700, in killed, wound- 
ed, and prisoners; and the Americans 100, in killed and 
wounded. 

This was Burgoyne's first check ; and it was a serious 
one. Its moral efl'ect, in raising the depressed spirits of the 
Americans, was of immense importance to their cause. Pre- 
vious to this, dejection and alarm pervaded the northern 
states ; but success now infused spirit and vigour into the 
militia, and gave a new aspect to affairs on the Hudson. 

But the defeat at Bennington was not Burgoyne's only mis- 
fortune. He had sent General St. Leger, with a detachment 
of regular troops, Canadians, Tories, and Indians, to take 
Fort Schuyler, on the Mohawk river, which was garrisoned 
by about 600 continentals, under Colonel Gansevoort. St. 
Leger arrived there on the 2d of August, invested the place 
with an army 1,600 strong, and summoned the garrison to 
surrender. Gansevoort replied that he would defend the 
place to the last. 

Meantime General Herkimer with 700 militia was sent to 
his support. This party fell into an ambuscade of British 
and Indians, and, after a vigorous defence, was compelled 
to retreat. Herkimer lost 400 men and fell himself in the 
battle. General Schuyler then despatched Arnold, with a 
body of regular troops, to Fort Schuyler ; but, before he 
reached the fort, St. Leger, being foiled in his attempts on the 
works, and deserted by his Indian allies, who had been very 



What were the effects of the battle ? 
What fort was invested by General 

St. Leger ? 
Who defended it ? 
Who was first sent to its relief ? 



What befell him and his detachment? 

Who was then sent to relieve the 
fort? 

What made his assistance unneces- 
sary ? 



21 



242 



MURDER OF MISS MACREA. 



roughly handled in the late engagements, raised the siege and 
retired. Arnold, finding no occasion for his assistance, soon 
returned to camp. * 

It was at this period that a circumstance transpired, which, 
although it involved only a case of individual suffering, is of 
importance on account of the degree to which it exasperated 
the feelings of the Americans and incited them to an active 
prosecution of the war. Mr. Jones, an officer of the British 
army, had gained the affections of Miss Macrea, a lovely 
young lady, of amiable character and spotless reputation, 
daughter of a gentleman attached to the royal cause, residing 
near Fort Edward ; and they were engaged to be married. 
In the course of the service, the officer was removed to some 
distance from his intended bride ; and became anxious for 
her safety and desirous of her company. He engaged some 
Indians, of two different tribes, to bring her to camp, and 
promised a keg of rum to the person who should deliver her 
safely to him. She dressed to meet her bridegroom, and 
accompanied her Indian conductors ; but, on the way, the 
two chiefs, each being desirous of receiving the promised 
reward, disputed which of them should deliver her to her 
lover. The dispute rose to a quarrel ; and, according to 
their usual method of disposing of a disputed prisoner, one 
of them instantly cleft the head of the lady with his toma- 
hawk. This being one of the legitimate consequences of the 
British employing Indian allies, was laid liold of by tlie 
Americans, and recited in the newspapers with such circum- 
stances of pathos and warmth of colouring, as to set the peo- 
ple in a complete ferment of rage and indignation against 
their enemies. The militia rose in great numbers, and, re- 
pairing to the scene of action, augmented the army opposed 
to Burgoyne to a most formidable array. 

Burgoyne siill flattered liimself with being able to cfi"ect a 
junction with the British at New York, and thus separate the 
New England states from the middle and southern portions 
of the union, so that they niiglit be over-run and conquered at 
leisure. But he was encompassed with difficulties. He was 
obliged to bring supplies from Fort George; an undertaking 
of considerable difficulty ; and then having constructed a 
bridge of boats over the Hudson, he crossed the river on the 
13ih and 14th of September, and encamped on tlie heights 



Give an account of the murder of 

Miss Mncrea. 
What was the effect of this affair on 

the Americans ? 



What did Rurgoyne still expect ? 

What was his situation ? 

When did he encamp at Saratoga .' 



BURGOYNE AT SARATOGA. 243 

and plains of Saratoga, 20 miles from Fort Edward, and 37 
from Albany. 

General Gates, who had been appointed to the command 
of the northern army, in place of General Schuyler, was 
now joined by all the continental troops destined for the 
northern department, and reinforced, as we have already ob- 
served, by large bodies of militia. He left the strong posi- 
tion which General Schuyler had taken at the confluence of 
the Mohawk and Hudson, and, proceeding 16 miles up the 
river towards the enemy, formed a strong camp at Stillwater. 
Tiie two armies were now within twelve miles of each other, 
but the bridges between them were broken down, and the 
country was covered with woods. 

On the 17th, General Burgoyne encamped within four 
miles of the American army ; and on the 19lh an engage- 
ment took place, commencing with skirmishes, but soon in- 
volving a considerable part of the force on both sides. Co- 
lonel Morgan, with his riflemen, commenced the attack on 
the advancing left wing of the British, and drove them back. 
Buro-oyne coming up with a strong detachnnnt, Morgan, in 
his turn, was compelled to give way. But General Gates 
reinforced him ; and the engagement became more general. 
The Americans attempted to turn the right flank of the Bri- 
tish army, with the view of attacking it in the rear ; but, 
being opposed by Frazer and Breyman, they made a rapid 
movement, and commenced a furious attack on the left of the 
British right wing. The combatants were reinforced ; and, 
between three and four in the afternoon. General Arnold, 
with nine continental regiments and Morgan's riflemen, was 
closely engaged with the whole right wing of the British 
army. Both parties fought with the most determined cou- 
rage, and the battle ended only with the day. When it 
became dark, the Americans retired to their camp ; and the 
royal troops lay all night on their arms in the field. 

In this battle each party had nearly 3,000 men engaged ; 
the British lost upwards of 500 men, and the Americans 
319. Both sides claimed the victory ; but the advantages of 
victory were all with the Americans. The news of the bat- 
tle was received with joy and exultation throughout the 



Where did Oeneral Gates encamp ? 
How near were the two armies ? 
What took place on the 17th of Sep- 
tember ? 
Describe the engagement of the 19th. 



What was the result ? 
The loss of each party i" 
The efl'cct of this intelligence on the 
American people ? 



244 



BURIAL OF GENERAL FRAZER. 



United States ; and the ruin of the invading army was confi- 
dently anticipated. 

Tlie next ilay, information was received in camp of a de- 
cisive victory gained by Colonel Brown and Colonel John- 
son over the British, in the vicinity of Ticonderoga ; and 
towards the end of September General Lincoln reached the 
camp of Gates, with 2,000 men from New England. 

On the 7ih of October, the second battle of Stillwater was 
fought, in which, after a severe engagement, the Americans 
drove their enemies from the field of battle, killed 200 men 
and many officers, among whom were General Frazer and 
Colonel Breyman, took nine pieces of artillery, and a large 
amount of camp equipage and ammunition ; and experienced 
but a trifling loss. 

The 8th of October was spent in skirmishing and cannon- 
ading. About sunset, the body of General Frazer was, agree- 
ably to his own desire, carried up the hill to be interred in the 
great redoubt of the British, attended by the officers who had 
lived in his family. Generals Burgoyne, Philips, and Reidesel, 
in testimony of respect and affection for the deceased, joined 
the mournful procession, which necessarily proceeded in view 
of both armies. The incessant cannonade, the steady attitude 
and unfaltering voice of the chaplain, and the firm demeanour 
of the company during the funeral service, though occasionally 
covered with the earth torn up by the shot from the hostile 
batteries, ploughing the ground around them, the mute ex- 
pression of feeling depicted on every countenance, and the 
increasing gloom of the evening, all contributed to give an 
affecting solemnity to the obsequies. General Gates after- 
wards declared, that if he had been apprised of what was 
going on, he would have silenced his batteries, or ordered 
minute guns to be fired in honour of the deceased general. 

General Bnrgoyne, perceiving that the Americans were 
endeavouring to surround him, commenced a retreat; and on 
the 9th of October, after a fatiguing and difficult march, 
reached Saratoga. He next made preparations to retire to 
Fort Edward, but his retreat was cut off, and all the passes 
strongly guarded. He was now in a most distressing condi- 
tion. He had crossed the Hudson in the confident hope of 



What news came on tlip next day ? 

Wliat reinforcement did Gates re- 
ceive ? 

nive the result of the second battle 
of Stillwater. 



Of General Frazer's funeral. 
Of Kurgoyne's retreat ? 
What was his condition at 
toga ? 



Sara- 



CAPTURE OF FORT MONTGOMERY. 



245 




Surrender of Burgoyne. 

victory and triumph, and in expectation of a powerful co-ope- 
ration from Sir Henry Clinton, in New York, if needful. On 
the 21st of September, after the battle of the 19th had in some 
measure made him sensible of his difficulties, he received a 
messenger from Clinton, who informed him of an intended 
attack on Forts Clinton and Montgomery. That messenger 
he immediately sent back, with a letter informing Clinton of 
his intention to maintain the ground he then occupied till the 
12th of October, and requesting assistance ; but he had heard 
nothing further from New York. 

Clinton had waited for reinforcements from England which 
did not arrive till the end of September. He then embarked 
with 3,000 men, and sailed up the Hudson to Fort Montgo- 
mery, which was stormed and taken. The British then pro- 
ceeded up the river, but instead of advancing to the relief of 
Burgoyne, they employed themselves laying waste the coun- 
try, and burning the town of Esopus. This proceeding, 
intended to divert General Gates from his main object, only 
increased the hatred of the inhabitants against their cruel 
enemies. 

General Burgoyne, having been defeated in his intention of 
retreating to Fort Edward, disappointed in his expectation of 
relief from Sir Henry Clinton, and being now surrounded and 
cut off from all hope of forcing his way back to Canada, 
summoned a council of war, and by the unanimous advice of 
the members, opened a correspondence with General Gates, 
on the 13th of October. On the 16th, terms of capitulation 



What intelligence did Burgoyne re- 
ceive from Clinton ? 

What was his reply ? 

Give an account of Clinton's opera- 
tions. 



What is said of Burgoyne ? 

What took place on the 13th of Octo- 
ber ? 

When was the convention of Saratoga 
signed ? 



21^ 



246 SURRENDER OF BUROOYNE. 

were agreed on, by which it was stipulated that the troops 
under General Bur^oyne sliould next day march out of their 
camp, with the honours of war, and the artillery of the en- 
trenchments, and pile tlieir arms on tlie verge of the river; 
that a free passage should be granted them to Great Britain, 
on condition of not serving in North America during the war, 
unless exchanged ; and that they should embark at Boston. 
On the 17lh, the British army piled their arms agreeably to 
the capitulation, and the formal surrender took place. 

When the British army left Ticonderoga it consisted of 
10,000 men besides Indians. At the time of the surrender, it 
had been reduced to 6,000, General Gates's army was 
superior in numbers, but it consisted partly of militia. 

The news of the surrender of Burgoyne spread the greatest 
joy and exultation throughout the country. It increased the 
numbers of the patriots, and proporlionably thinned the ranks 
of the tories. Had the Biilish ministry been wise, it would 
have terminated the contest. But they still persisted in their 
mad attempts to conquer a people whose spirit and resolution 
had shown them to be unconquerable. 

At tiie encampment of Valley Forge, whither General 
Washington retired for winter quarters at the close of this 
campaign, tlie suflerings of his army were very great. He 
had chosen this position on account of its being sufficiently 
near Philadelphia to check the foraging parties of the enemy, 
and for its security from any sudden and desultory attack. 
The army was lodged in huts formed of logs with the inter- 
stices filled with mud. The winter was severe, and many of 
the men were without shoes and nearly destitute of clothing; 
and their line of march from White Marsh to Valley Forge 
might have been traced by the blood from the bare and man- 
gled feet of the soldiers. The miseries of famine were added 
to their other sufferings, and in these circumstances, tliough 
a few deserted to the enemy, yet the rest bore their lot with 
cheerfulness, and devoted themselves nobly to the sacred 
cause of independence. 

While the army lay at Valley Forge, a plot was formed to 
remove General Washington from the chief command ; in 
which several members of congress and a few military oiSicers 



Wlnt were its terms ? 

Wlicn did the formal surrender tnke 

pl;ice ? 
What number of men had the Brilisli 

lost i" 
What was the effect of Burfjoyne's 

buirendcr on the Americans ? 



Wliat is said of the British minis- 
try !> 

What was the situation of the army 
:it \'allcy Foijjo p 

Wiiat plot is mentioned > 

Who were concerned in it ? 



INTRIGUES AGAINST WASHINGTON. 



247 



were concerned. Gates was to succeed him. He, however, 
disclaimed all connection with the faction ; which, fortunately 
for America, did not succeed* 

In the midst of the difficulties and dangers with which he 
was surrounded, Washington was serene and undismayed, 
pursuing the line of his duty with steady perseverance and 
unshaken fortitude. Instead of manifesting irritable feelings 
under the malignant attacks made on his character, he behaved 
with magnanimity; and earnestly applied to congress and the 
legislative bodies of the several stales, for reinforcements to 
his army, in order that he might be prepared to act with 
vigour in the ensuing campaign. Congress was slow in 
making the necessary arrangements, and the state legislatures 
were backward in furnishing their respective contingents of 
money and men for the service. At length, however, Wash- 
ington succeeded in having an efficient commissary general 
appointed ; the other departments of the army were put on a 
more desirable footing; and vigorous measures were pursued 
to prepare for the ensuing campaign. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1778. 



The terms of capitulation at Saratoga, called the "Conven- 
tion of Saratoga," had provided for the embarkation of the 
British troops at Boston. The unscrupulous manner in which 
the British had violated the law of nations with respect to 
prisoners and surrenders, gave congress good reason to be- 
lieve that this convention would not be faithfully observed on 
the part of their enemies ; but that, if the troops were delivered 
up instead of being sent to England, they would be ordered 
to the middle states, and united with the forces of General 
Howe. Pretexts for non-compliance with the convention 
were sought and found by congress, and after a good deal of 
discussion and correspondence, the troops were detained as 
prisoners. 



What is «aid of Washington ? 
Of congress ? 
Of the state legislatures ? 
Of the army ? 



What is said of the convention of 

Saratoga ? 
Why was it not strictly observed ? 



248 



CONCILIATORY OFFERS OF ENGLAND. 



Hitherto the American commissioners at Paris had been 
unable to obtain from France any recognition of American 
inSependence. But the capture of Burgoyne's army decided 
the hesitating councils of that country ; and, on the 6th of 
February, 1778, his most Christian Majesty acknowledged 
and guaranteed the independence of the United States, and 
entered into a treaty of commerce and alliance with the new 
republic. The notification of this act to the British ministers 
was considered by them equivalent to a declaration of war 
against Great Britain. 

This new danger, together with the intelligence of the defeat 
and surrender of Burgoyne, appears to have brought the 
British cabinet, in some measure, to their senses. They 
now brought into parliament, propositions offering the 
Americans all that they had demanded before the beginning 
of the contest ; and hastily resolved to send over commis- 
sioners to bring back the colonies to their allegiance, at any 
expense of concession and humiliation. 

When the conciliatory propositions of Lord North were 
brought forward in parliament, his speech on the occasion 
was a singular compound of humiliation and gasconade. He 
went into a long history of the contest, but gave a very lame 
account of the causes of faiUire. The celebrated Charles 
James Fox replied to him in a speech abounding with cutting 
sarcasms. He approved of Lord North's propositions, the 
substance of which Mr. Burke had brouglit forward three 
years before, but could not refrain from making some severe 
animadversions on the policy of the premier, all whose argu- 
ments, he asserted, might be collected into one point, his 
excuses all reduced to one apology — his total ignorance. 
' He hoped,' exclaimed the indignant orator, ' he hoped, and 
was disappointed ; he expected a great deal, and found little 
to answer his expectations. He thought the Americans 
would have submitted to his laws, and they resisted them. 
He thought they would have submitted to his armies, and 
they were beaten by inferior numbers. He made conciliatory 
propositions, and he thought they would succeed, but they 
were rejected. He appointed commissioners to make peace, 
and he thought they had powers ; but he found they could 
not make peace, and nobody believed they had any powers. 



Wlien did France rrcognisc the indc- 
(jondonco of Uic I'liitcd States ' 

How was this regarded by the Uiitish 
ministers ? 



What did they resolve to do ? 

What is said of Lord North's speech 

in parliament ? 
Of Fox's reply f 



. i 



DEATH OF THE EARL OF CHATHAM. 249 

He had said many such things as he had thought fit in his 
conciliatory propositions ; he thought it a proper method of 
quieting the Americans upon the affair of taxation. If any 
person should give himself the trouhle of reading that pro- 
position, he would find not one word of it correspondent to 
the representation made of it by its framer. The short 
account of it was, that the noble lord in the proposition 
assured the colonies, that when parliament had taxed them 
as much as they thought proper, they would tax them no 
more.' In conclusion, however, Mr. Fox said 'that he 
would vote for the present proposition, because it was much 
more clear and satisfactory, for necessity had caused him to 
speak plain.' 

The conciliatory bills were passed, and when sent to Lord 
Howe in New York, and by him submitted to congress, they 
had not received intelligence of the signature of their treaty 
of alliance with France. That body, however, did not hesi- 
tate a moment as to the line of conduct they were to pursue. 
They were no more easily to be managed by the fawning, 
than they had been by the blustering of the British Govern- 
ment. They peremptorily rejected Lord North's proposals 
as insidious and unsatisfactory. 

Meantime a proposition had been brought forward by the 
Duke of Richmond in the British House of Lords for acknow- 
ledging the independence of the United States. Lord Chatham 
understanding what was intended, regardless of his age and 
infirmities, had attended in his place in the house for the ex- 
press purpose of opposing the measure. ' My Lords,' ex- 
claimed the venerable orator, ' I rejoice that the grave has not 
closed upon me, and that I am still alive to lift my voice 
against the dismemberment of this ancient and most noble 
monarchy.' He then proceeded in the most energetic man- 
ner to urge his auditors to prompt and vigorous efforts against 
their new enemy, the house of Bourbon ; and concluded by 
calling upon them, if they must fall, to fall like men. The 
Duke of Richmond having replied to this speech. Lord Chat- 
ham attempted to rise for the purpose of rebutting his grace's 
arguments, and proposing his own plan for ending the Ameri- 
can war, which is understood to have been the establishment 
with the colonies, upon the most liberal terms, of a kind of 
federal union under one common monarch. But the powers 



What was done b}' parliament ? 
How did congress treat the concilia- 
tory propositions ? 



What is said of the Duke of Rich- 
mond's proposition ? 
Of Lord Chatham? 



250 



ANECDOTE OF GENERAL REED. 



of nature in him were exhausted : he fainted under the effort 
to speak his sentiments, and being conveyed to his country 
seat in Kent, he expired on the 1 1th of May. 

The firmness with which congress rejected Lord North's 
propositions augured ill for the success of the British com- 
missioners. Lord Carlisle, Mr. Eden, and governor John- 
stone, who arrived at New York on the 9ih of June, 1778, 
and immediately attempted to open a negotiation with con- 
gress. Their overtures were officially answered by the pre- 
sident, Mr. Laurens, in a letter in which he apprised them 
that the American government were determined to maintain 
their independence, but were willing to treat for peace with 
his Britannic majesty, on condition of his withdrawing his 
fleets and armies from the country. 

Thus foiled in their attempt at open negotiation, the com- 
missioners had recourse to secret intrigues. Governor John- 
stone, from his long residence in America, was personally 
acquainted with many of the leading members of congress, to 
whom he addressed letters, vaguely intimating the great re- 
wards and honours which would await those who should 
assist in putting an end to the present troubles. He is said to 
have ofl'ered Joseph Reed, a general in the army and a mem- 
ber of congress, ten thousand pounds sterling and any office 
within the colonies in his majesty's gift, if he would endea- 
vour to re-unite the colonies to the mother country. ' I am 
not worth purchasing,' replied this incorruptible patriot; ' but 
such as I am, the king of Great Britain is not rich enough to 
buy me.' 

All the clandestine overtures of the governor were rejected 
with contempt, and congress being apprised of them, declared 
them direct attempts at corruption, and refused all intercourse 
with him. The pacificators then published a manifesto 
threatening the union with a war of devastation. Congress 
then notified the gentlemen, that the bearers of copies of this 
manifesto were not entitled to the protection of a flag ; and at 
the same time displayed their contempt of its threats by giving 
it a very extensive circulation through the country in the 
newspapers. The commissioners remained a short time at 
New York, and then sailed for Britain. 



Of his fainting and death ' 

Who were the British commissioners } 

What answer was made to their pro- 
position .' 

To what did they then have re- 
course ? 

What is said of governor Johnstone ? 



What answer did he receive from 

General Reed i" 
What was then done by congress ? 
By the pacificators ? 
By congress in answer ? 
Whither did the commissioners soon 

after go ? 



RETREAT OF BARREN HILL. 



251 



General Howe spent the spring of 1778, nearly in a slate 
of inaction, confining his operations to the sending out of fo- 
raging and predatory parties, which did some mischief to the 
country, and but little service to the royal cause. 

In May, the Marquis de la Fayette, with upwards of 2,000 
chosen men and six pieces of artillery, was ordered to the east 
of the Schuylkill, and took post on Barren HiH, seven or 
eight miles in front of the army at Valley Forge. General 
Howe got notice of his position and sent out General Grant, 
with 5,000 of his best troops to surprise him. Owing to 
the desertion of their post by some militia on the look-out, 
he was near accomplishing his object, but La Fayette eluded 
the snare, and by able manoeuvring returned to the camp 
without loss. The retreat of Barren Hill has always been 
regarded as a most splendid achievement, and received the 
highest commendations of Washington. 

Soon afterwards General Howe received orders from the 
British ministry to evacuate Philadelphia without delay. 
These orders were sent under the apprehension, that if a 
French fleet should block up his squadron in the Delaware, 
whilst Washington inclosed him on the land side, he would 
share fhe fate of Burgoyne. On the 18th of June, therefore, 
the British troops quitted Philadelphia, and crossed over into 
New Jersey, whither they were speedily followed by Wash- 
ington, who, keeping a strict watch on their movements, 
harassed them on their march, which was encumbered with 
baggage. 

On his arrival at Princeton, Washington, hearing that Ge- 
neral Clinton, with a large division of the British forces, had 
quitted the direct road to Staten Island, the place of rendez- 
vous appointed for General Howe's army, apd was marching 
for Sandy Hook, sent a detachment in pursuit of him, and 
followed with his whole army to support it ; and as Clinton 
halted at Monmouth and made preparations to meet the pre- 
meditated attack, he sent forward reinforcements, to keep the 
British in check. 

These reinforcements were commanded by General Lee, 
whom Washington, on his coming up with the main body, 
met in full retreat. After angrily remonstrating with him, 



What was done by General Howe in 

the spring of 1778 ? 
By General La Fayette in May ? 
How did he escape a surprise ? 
Why was Howe ordered to quit 

Philadelphia ? 



When was this order obeyed ? 
What circumstances led to the battle 

of Monmouth ? 
Give an account of the affair of GrC- 

neral Lee. 



253 BATTLE OF MONMOnTH. 

the commander in chief ordered him to advance again. He 
obeyed and was again driven hack ; but he brought off liis 
troops in good order. Wlien Wasliinglon brought the main 
body of the army into action, the British were compelled to 
give way ; and taking advantage of the night, the approach 
of which probably saved them from utter discomtilure, they 
witiulrew to Sandy Hook, leaving behind them sucli of their 
Avoiinded as could not with safety be removed. 

The victory at Monmouth was celebrated with rejoicings 
throughout the United Stales, and congress returned thanks 
to General Washington and his army. 

General Lee, conceiving himself to have been insulted by 
General Washington on the fielcl of battle, in the evening ad- 
dressed him a letter, expressed in disrespectful terms. He 
was, therefore, put under arrest, and tried by a court martial 
for disobedience of orders, and disrespect to his commander 
in chief. He was found guilty, and suspended from his com- 
mand for a year. He never rejoined the army, but remained 
in retirement till October, 1782, when he died at Philadelphia. 

After the battle of IMonmouth, Washington marched to 
White Plains, a few miles to the north-eastward of New York 
island. Here he continued watching the unmolesteJ«iove- 
ments of the neighbouring enemy, from the beginning of July 
till the latter end of autumn, when he retired to take up his 
winter quarters in huts which he had caiised to be constructed 
at Middlebrook, in Jersey. 

The British ministry were not mistaken in their view of 
the intentions of the French. In July, the Count d'Estaing, 
with a fleet of 12 ships of the line and 3 frigates, arrived off 
the mouth of the Delaware, but found that Lord Howe had 
already withdrawn the British fleet from that river to the 
harbour of New York. D'Estaing immediately sailed for 
Sandy Hook. After continuing there at anchor eleven days, 
during which he captured about 20 English merchantmen, 
finding that he could not work his line of battle ships over 
the bar, by the advice of General Washington he sailed for 
Newport, with a view of co-operating with the Americans in 
driving the British from Rhode Island, of which they had 
been in possession for upwards of eighteen months. General 



What was the result of the battle of 
Monmoutli ? 

What were the cfTects of this vic- 
tory > 

How did General Lee's aflair termi* 
nate i 



How did Washington pass the re- 
mainder of the season ? 
Where did his army pass the winter ? 
What is said of the British ministry ? 
Of the Count d'Estaing ? 
What did he elfect off New York ? 



ATTEMPT TO RECOVER RHODE ISLAND. 



253 



Sullivan, with a detachment from General Washington's 
army, and reinforcements from New England, was to act in 
concert with him. 

This enterprise, however, completely failed, for want of 
active co-operation on the part of the French fleet. Lord 
Howe appearing with his fleet oflf Newport, the French ad- 
miral came out of the harbour to give him battle, but before 
the hostile armaments could encounter, a violent storm arose, 
which damaged both fleets so much, that the British were 
compelled to return to New York, and D'Estaing declared 
his intention of withdrawing to Boston harbour. Notwith- 
standing the remonstrances pf General Greene and the Mar- 
quis de la Fayette, who were deputed by Washington to 
exert their influence in preventing this ill-timed retreat, he 
executed his purpose, leaving the American army under Ge- 
neral Sullivan, on the island, in a very critical situation ; but 
by the skill of its commander, it was withdrawn to the main 
land with trifling loss. His escape was very fortunate, as 
Sir Henry Clinton was on his way to Rhode Island with a 
reinforcement of 4,000 men, but was detained in the Sound 
four days by contrary winds, and arrived only the day after 
the Americans had left the island. A very short delay on 
the part of General Sullivan, might have proved fatal to the 
army. 

Sanguine expectations had been entertained throughout the 
United States of the reduction of Rhode Island, and the 
capture of the British force which defended it, so that the 
disappointment and mortification, on the failure of the en- 
terprise, were exceedingly bitter. The French being con- 
sidered the authors of the miscarriage, were much blamed ; 
and some misunderstanding took place between General Sul- 
livan and the Count d'Estaing on the occasion. By the in- 
tervention of General Washington and the congress, however, 
the growing breach between the Americans and their allies 
was soon healed. 

During the summer of 1778, a harassing and destructive 
war was carried on by the Indians against the settlers on the 
western frontier of the United States. The happy settle- 
ment of Wyoming, in Pennsylvania, became in a particular 



For what purpose did he proceed to 
Rhode Island ? 

Who was sent to co-operate with him? 

What was the result ? 

What caused the failure of this enter- 
prise ? 

What saved the army .' 



What is said of Sir Henry Clinton ? 
What was the effect of this defeat ? 
What is said of the misunderstanding 

between General Sullivan and the 

Count d'Estaing ? 
What took place in the summer of 

1778 ? 



23 



254 



MASSACRE AT WYOMING. 



manner the scene of carnage, misery, and ruin. It was a 
flourishing settlement, containing about 1,000 inhabitants. 
Unfortunately the neighbourhood was infested with tories, 
who uniting with the Indians in the work of treachery and 
murder, succeeded in surprising the settlement and capturing 
the forts ; and massacred a great part of the inhabitants. 'J'he 
surrounding country was then laid waste, and about three 
tliousand persons, without money, clothes, or provisions, pre- 
cipitately abandoned their homes, and fled from the mur- 
derous tomahawk. The approach of some continental troops 
drove the savage invaders from the region which they had 
desolated. These atrocities served to exasperate the Ame- 
ricans, and to give a still sterner aspect to the subsequent 
character of the war. 

The western frontier of Virginia was saved from similar 
horrors by the enterprise and courage of Colonel George Ro- 
gers Clarke, who with a body of militia penetrated to the 
British settlements on tlie Mississippi, took the town of Kas- 
kaskias, and subsequently surprised Colonel Hamilton, who 
had been entrusted with the direction of the operations on 
the Wabash. By his activity in encouraging the Indian hos- 
tilities, and stimulating them to the perpetration of revolting 
barbarities, Hamilton had rendered himself so obnoxious, that 
the executive council of Virginia threw him, and some of his 
immediate agents, into prison and put them in irons. Tiie 
vigorous measures of Clarke disconcerted Hamilton's plan 
for annoying the western frontier, and deterred the Indians 
from engaging in their ferocious incursions into the United 
States. 

When the season for active operations in the middle and 
northern states had terminated, the British commander in 
chief resolved to make an attempt on the southern provinces. 
Some royalists who had fled from the Carolinas and Georgia, 
had made incursions into the latter state. These had been 
retaliated by General Robert Howe, commander of the mili- 
tary force of Soutli Carolina and Georgia, but the sickness 
of his troops had compelled him to retire and take post in the 
vicinity of Savannah, where he had to encounter an enemy 
far more formidable than the irregulars of East Florida. 

On the 23d of December, an armament, commanded by 



Give an account of tlie massacre at 
Wyoming. 

What was done on the western fron- 
tier of Virginia ? 

What American general commanded 



the military force of South Caroli- 
na and (Icorgia ? 

Who had been opposed to him there ? 

What new enemy had he to encoun- 
ter? 



LOSS OF THE FRIGATE RANDOLPH. 



255 



Colonel Campbell with about 3,500 men, escorted by a small 
squadron under Admiral Parker, appeared off the mouth of 
the Savannah, and proceeding up the river effected a landing 
without much opposition on the 29th. 

Howe, with about 900 men, was posted in a good position 
about two miles from Savannah. He was surrounded by a 
swamp, river, and morass, excepting in front. He had de- 
stroyed a bridge and broken up the road in front, so that if 
attacked in that quarter he could have defended himself with 
advantage. But a black man who fell into Colonel Campbell's 
hands, informed him of a private path through the morass 
by which the rear of the American army might be gained. 
The consequence was, that being attacked on both sides, 
although Howe and his men fought with the greatest intre- 
pidity, less than one half of them were able to escape and 
eff'ect a retreat to South Carolina. The capital of Georgia 
of course fell into the hands of the British, and Sunbury and 
Augusta being soon after taken, the whole state was brought 
under the British sway. 

The noble defence of Fort Moultrie, in 1776, had hitherto 
saved the southern states from the horrors of war ; but the 
defeat of General Howe, at Savannah, made those states the 
scene of fierce and desolating hostilities during the remainder 
of the contest. 

The small navy of the Americans suffered some loss during 
this year. Many of their ships were destroyed in the har- 
bours on the coast, and one was lost at sea under very dis- 
tressing circumstances. The Randolph, an American frigate 
of 36 guns and 305 men, commanded by Captain Biddle, 
having sailed from Charleston on a cruise, fell in with the 
British frigate Yarmouth, of 64 guns, and engaged her in the 
night. In about 15 minutes the Randolph blew up; and all 
the crew, except four men, perished. These men, floating 
on a piece of the wreck, subsisted four days on rain water 
which they sucked from a piece of blanket. They were 
then discovered and relieved by the captain of the Yarmouth. 
Captain Biddle, who perished on board the Randolph, was 
universally lamented. He was an officer whose tried courage 
and skill had excited high expectations of future usefulness 
to the country. 



What preparations did he make ? 
Who betrayed him ? 
W^hat was the consequence ? 
What state was overrun by the Bri- 
tish.' 



What were the consequences of 
Howe's defeat ? 

Relate the catastrophe of the Ran- 
dolph. 

What is said of Captain Biddle ? 



256 



RESULT OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1778. 



In April of this year the celebrated naval commander, Paul 
Jones, in tlie brig Ranger, of 18 guns, captured the British 
sloop of war Drake, of 20 guns, which had been fitted out 
with more than her complement of officers and men for the 
express purpose of capturing Jones. This was one among a 
series of brilliant achievements which had already procured 
for Jones the highest reputation. 

Neither of the contending parlies was very well satisfied 
with the result of this campaign. The Americans, who had 
expected, with the assistance of the French, to terminate the 
war by some decisive stroke, were not a little mortified that 
the only result of the co-operation of their ally, was the 
recovery of Philadelphia. On the other hand, the British 
ministry were grievously disappointed on learning that the 
issue of the campaign, as far as regarded their main army, 
was the exchange, by their commander in cliief, of his nar- 
row quarters in Philadelphia, for the not much more extended 
ones of New York island. Hitherto they seem to have car- 
ried on the war under the idea that the majority of the colonies 
were favourably disposed towards the royal government, and 
were only restrained from manifesting their loyalty by a fac- 
tion, whom it would be easy with their assistance to subdue ; 
but from this period they appear to have abandoned this 
chimera, and conducted their hostilities in a spirit of despe- 
ration and revenge. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1779. 



The principal operations of the war were now transferred 
from the northern and middle, to the southern states of the 
union. In the north the British seem to have aimed chiefly 
at creating as large an amount of distress and devastation as 
possible. They had declared their intention. of making "the 
colonies of as little avail as possible to their new connec- 
tions ;" and truly the zeal and activity with which they en- 



Give an account of Paul Jones's vic- 
tory. 

What general remarks arc made on 
the result of the campaign of 1778? 



What part of the union now became 

the theatre of war ? 
In what spirit was it conducted hy 

the British ? 



PUTNAM S RIDE. 257 

deavoured to render the country a desert, were worthy of a 
better cause. 

With a view to subject Virginia to the unmitigated horrors 
of war, Sir Henry Clinton, on the 10th of May, 1779, sent 
an expedition into that state, under the command of Sir 
George CoUyer and General Matthews, who, after landing 
at Portsmouth, proceeded to Suffolk, and laid that town in 
ashes. The houses of private genUemen in the surrounding 
country shared the same fate. After burning and capturing 
130 vessels of different sizes, and devastating the whole 
country in their line of march, the marauders sailed back, 
loaded with plunder, to New York. 

About five weeks after their return, governor Tryon, 
doubtless stimulated with ambition at so noble an example, 
took the command of a similar expedition to the coast of 
Connecticut. With about 2,600 men, he sailed from New 
York, by the way of Hell-gate, and landed at East Haven, 
which he devoted to the flames, in violation of his promise 
of protection to all the inhabitants who should remain in 
their houses. He then marched to New Haven, and delivered 
up that town to promiscuous plunder. The inhabitants were 
stripped of their household furniture and moveable property, 
and subjected to every outrage of a brutal soldiery, excepting 
only the burning of their houses. The British then em- 
barked and proceeded to Fairfield and Norwalk, which were 
also plundered and then burnt. Governor Tryon having 
effected this mischief in ten days, with little loss, returned to 
the British head quarters to make a report of his proceedings 
to the commander in chief. 

AVhiist this mode of warfare was carried on, Washington 
could spare very few men, for the defence of the invaded 
districts. His attention was engrossed by the main army of 
the British, to keep which in check, he posted his forces at 
West Point, and on the opposite side of the Hudson, pushing 
his patrols to the vicinity of his adversary's lines. 

It wag about this time that General Putnam performed his 
famous feat of riding down the stone stairs at Horse Neck. 
He was stationed at Reading, in Connecticut, and visiting his 
out post at Horse Neck, with but 150 men, and two iron field- 
pieces without dragropes, he was attacked by governor Tryon 



Give an account of the expedition 
of Sir George Collyer and General 
Matthews into Virginia. 

Of General Tryon's expedition to 
Connecticut. 

22* 



What is said of General Washing- 
ton ? 

Give an account of Putnam's feat at 
Horse Neck. 



258 THE STORMING OF STONY POINT. 

with 1,500 men. Putnam planted his cannon on the high 
ground, near the meeting house, and by firing, retarded the 
enemy's advance, till seeing the infantry and cavalry pre- 
paring for a charge, he ordered his men to retire to a neigh- 
bouring swamp, and plunged down the precipice near the 
church. This was so steep as to have artificial stairs, com- 
posed of nearly 100 stone steps for the accommodation of 
foot passengers. The British dragoons durst not follow the 
intrepid horseman down the precipice, and before they could 
ride round the hill, he was out of their reach. The infantry 
poured a shower of bullets after him, but all missed except 
one, which pierced his hat. He proceeded to Stamford, and 
having re-united his men, and obtained a reinforcement of 
militia, faced about, and pursued General Tryon on his 
return. 

As the British occupied, with a strong garrison. Stony 
Point, some miles to the south of Washington's camp, on 
the 15th of July, he despatched General Wayne, with a 
small detachment, to dislodge them. This expedition, though 
an exceedingly bold and hazardous one, was completely suc- 
cessful. After a very obstinate defence, in which Wayne 
was wounded, the fort was carried by storm, the garrison, 
to the number 548, were taken prisoners, 63 being killed, and 
the standards, ordnance and military stores, fell into the hands 
of the conquerors. This Avas considered one of the most 
brilliant achievements of the war. Washington did not, how- 
ever, think it prudent for the present, to attempt to establish 
himself at Stony Point ; and it was speedily reoccupied by 
the British. 

Another instance of the enterprising boldness of the Ame- 
ricans occurred soon after, in the surprise of the British gar- 
rison at Paulus Hook, opposite to New York, which was 
attacked on the lOlh of July, by Major Lee, who stormed 
the works, and took 160 prisoners, whom he brought safely 
to the American lines. 

The joy felt by the Americans at the success of these 
daring enterprises, was somewhat damped by the failure of 
an expedition, undertaken by the slate of Massachusetts, to 
dispossess the British of a fort which they had erected at 
Penobscot, in the district of Maine. 'I'liey here lost the 
whole of their flotilla, which was destroyed or cagtured by 



Give an account of the storming of I Relate tlie affair of Paulus Hook. 

Stony Point. | The defeat at Penobscot. 

Was the post retained ? 



OPERATIONS IN GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA. 259 

Sir George Collyer, whilst their land forces were compelled 
to seek for safety by retreating through the woods, 

Spain having now declared war against Great Britain, it 
was hoped by the Americans that this additional piessure of 
foreign foes vvould compel the British ministry to withdraw 
their forces from North America. But the energies of the 
mother country were roused in proportion to the increase of 
her peril. Her fleets gave her decided superiority on the 
ocean, and her king was determined to strain every nerve to 
reduce his revolted colonies to obedience. At this period the 
ease with which the reduction of Georgia had been effected, 
and the advantages which it might afford in making an attack 
upon the rest of the southern states, induced his ministers to 
renew their efforts in that quarter. 

The back settlements of Georgia and the Carolinas, abound- 
ed with renegadoes and tories, who had been compelled by 
the republicans to withdraw into these wilds, from the more 
settled part of the country. These adventurers liaving joined 
the royal forces, under the command of Major-General Pres- 
cott, which had also received reinforcements from Florida, 
that officer found himself in a condition to commence active 
operations. His preparations filled the neighbouring states 
with alarm. 

The American regular troops, had, with few exceptions, 
been sent from the Carolinas to reinforce the army of Gene- 
ral Washington ; and the only reliance of the patriots in 
this part of the country was on the militia, which con- 
gress had placed under the command of General Lincoln. 
On inspecting his men, Lincoln found them very ill prepared 
to meet the disciplined forces of the enemy, as they were 
deficient in equipments, badly organised, and worse drilled. 
In these circumstances, the active operations of the enemy 
allowed him no time to train them. 

Soon after his arrival at head quarters, a division of the 
British army, under Major Gardiner, was detached from Sa- 
vannah to take possession of Port Royal, in South Carolina, 
but was driven back with a heavy loss of men, aud nearly all 
their officers, by General Moultrie. This repulse damped the 
ardour, and suspended the enterprise of the British, who took 



What is said of Spain and Great Bri- 
tain ? 

What induced the British to transfer 
their operations chiefly to the 
south ? 



What description of forces joined the 
standard of General Prescott ? 

Who commanded the American forces 
in the south ? 

Of what did they consist 

What took place at Port Royal ? 



260 



DEFEAT OF GENERAL LINCOLN. 



post at Augusta and Ebenezer, situated on the Savannah 
river. 

Here they waited in expectation of being joined by a body 
of lories, who had been collected in the upper parts of South 
Carolina. These reputable allies of the British had no sooner 
begun their march towards Augusta, than they comnience'd 
such a series of atrocities against the peaceful inhabitants, that 
they rose en masse, to oppose them. Colonel Picken, with 
about 300 volunteers, pursued and came up with them near 
Kettle creek, where he totally routed them, killed about 40, 
with their leader. Colonel Boyd, and dispersed the rest. 
Some of them afterwards gave themselves up to be tried by 
the laws of South Carolina, for violating the sedition act. 
Seventy of them were condemned to die ; but only five of the 
ringleaders were executed. This proceeding led to acts of 
retaliation on the part of the tories, and the king's troops, 
which for a long time gave a peculiar character of atrocity to 
the war in the southern slates. 

Encouraged by this success. General Lincoln sent an ex- 
pedition into Georgia, with a view of repressing the incursions 
of the enemy, and confining them to the low country near the 
ocean. The detachment, consisting of 1,500 North Carolina 
militia, and a few regular troops, under General Ash, crossed 
the Savannah, and took a position on Briar creek ; but he was 
surprised by Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost, who made a circui- 
tous march of .^O miles, and came upon his rear willi 900 
veterans. The militia were thrown into confusion at once, 
and fled at the first fire; 150 of the Americans were killed, 
162 taken, some were drowned in attempting to cross the 
Savannah, and only 450 escaped to the camp. This event 
cost General Lincoln one-fourth of his army, and opened a 
communication between the British camp at Savannah, and 
the Indian and tory friends of the British in North and South 
Carolina. 

\n this disastrous state of afl'airs the legislature of South 
Carolina invested their governor, Mr. John Rutledge, and his 
council, witli an almost absolute authority, by virtue of which 
a considerable force of militia was embodied and stationed 
near the centre of the state, to act as necessity might require. 

Lincoln now determined to carry the war into tlie enemy's 



What is rein tod of the tories ? 
Who defeated them } 
How were they treated ? 
Wliat wa the consequence .' 



Give an account of tlic battle of Briar 

creek. 
What were the eflccts of tliis defeat ? 
Who was made dictator in Soutb 

Carolina .' 



GENERAL PREVOST BEFORE CHARLESTON. 



2G1 



quarters ; and with the main army, he crossed the Savannah, 
near Augusta, and marched towards the capital of Georgia. 
Prevost instantly took advantage of this movement, to invade 
South Carolina, at the head of 2,400 men, and compelling 
General Moultrie, who was charged with the defence of 
Charleston, to retire, he pushed forward towards that city. 

At this time his superiority was so decisive, and his pros- 
pects so bright, that Moultrie's troops began to desert in great 
numbers, and with real or affected zeal embraced the royal 
cause. On his appearance before Charleston, the garrison of 
that place, consisting of 3,300 men, sent commissioners to 
propose a neutrality on their part during the remainder of the 
war. This advantageous proposal, he was impolitic enough 
to decline, and made preparations to attack the town, which 
was tolerably well fortified. 

Whilst he had been wasting time in negotiations. General 
Lincoln had been hastening from Georgia to the relief of the 
place ; and on his approach, Prevost, fearing to be exposed to 
two fires, withdrew his forces across Ashley nver, and en- 
camped on some small islands bordering on the sea-coast. 
Here, on the 20th of June, he was attacked by General Lin- 
coln, with about 1,200 men, but succeeded in giving him a 
repulse with the loss of 150 men, in consequence of the failure 
of a part of the American general's combinations. 

Notwithstanding this success General Prevost did not think 
it advisable to maintain his position, but retreated to Port 
Royal, and thence to Savannah. 

The Americans, under the command of Lincoln, soon after- 
wards retired to Sheldon, a healthy situation in the vicinity of 
Beaufort, about half way between Charleston and Savannah. 
Both armies now remained in their respective encampments 
in a state of tranquillity until the beginning of September, 
when the arrival of a French fleet on the coast roused the 
whole country to immediate activity. 

Count d'Estaing had proceeded, towards the close of the 
preceding year, from Boston to the West Indies, whence, 
after capturing St. Vincents and Grenada, he had returned to 
the assistance of the Americans. At the sight of this arma- 



Whither did Lincoln march ? 

What advantage did Prevost take of 

this movement ? 
Who retired before him ? 
What did the garrison at Charleston 

offer ? 
Was the offer accepted ? 



What occasioned Prevost's retreat ? 
What happened on the 20th of June ? 
Whither did Prevost retire after de- 
feating Lincoln.' 
Whither did the Americans retire ? 
What news roused them to action ? 
What is said of d'Estaing ? 



262 



SIEGE OF SAVANNAH. 



merit, which consisted of 20 sail of the line, and 13 frigates, 
the republicans exulted in the sanguine hope of capturing their 
enemies, or of expelling them from the country. The militia 
poured in from the surrounding region in great numbers, and 
uniting with the regular force, under General Lincoln, march- 
ed for the vicinity of Savannah. 

Before their arrival d'Estaing had summoned the town to 
surrender, and had granted General Prevost a suspension of 
hostilities for 24 hours, for the purpose of setding the terms 
of a capitulation. But during this interval, a reinforcement 
of several hundred men had forced their way from Beaufort 
for his relief. Encouraged by this seasonable aid, Prevost 
determined to hold out to the last extremity. 

The allied forces, therefore, commenced the siege of Sa- 
vannah in form. On the 4th of October the besiegers opened 
with 9 mortars, and 37 pieces of cannon, from the land side, 
and 15 from the water. On a report from the French engi- 
neers, that a considerable time would be consumed in con- 
ducting the siege by regular approaches, d'Estaing, who was 
apprehensive of injury to his fleet from hurricanes at that 
season of the year, determined on an assault. 

In conjunction with Lincoln, he led his troops to the attack 
■with great gallantry ; but a heavy and well directed fire from 
t1ie bn^tnics, and a cross fire from the British galleys, threw 
their front columns into confusion. Two standards were 
planted on the enemy's batteries, but after 55 minutes of hard 
fighting it was found necessary to order a retreat. Count 
d'Estaing, and Count Pulaski, were both wounded ; the former 
slightly* the latter mortally. Six hundred and thirty-seven 
of the French, and upwards of 200 of the continentals and 
militia, were killed or wounded. The damage sustained by 
the British was trifling. Immediately after this unsuccessful 
assault, the militia retired to tiieir homes ; Count d'Estaing 
recmliarked his troops and artillery, and sailed from Savannah ; 
and General Lincoln, recrossing the Savannah river, returned 
to South Carolina. 

Tbe visit of the French fleet to the coast of America, al- 
though unsuccessful in its chief object, was not altogether 
useless to the United States. It disconcerted the measures of 



What is snid of the militia ■" 

What IpIuikUt did d'Estaing make ? 

What siivrd Prevost.' 

describe the siege. 

Tlie assault. 

Who were wounded ? 



What was the loss ? 
Who deserted the Americans ? Why ? 
What was Lincoln obliged to do ? 
Of what use was the visit of the 
French fleet to the Americans ? 



ACHIEVEMENTS OF PAITL JONES. 263 

the British, and caused a considerable waste of time in digest- 
ing their plans of operation. It also occasioned the evacuation 
of Rhode Island, which, however, was of little importance to 
the cause, as the 0,000 men who were stationed there for two 
years and eight months, were thus effectually kept out of 
active service. 

The paper money system adopted by the continental con- 
gress, had now begun to produce its legitimate effects of ruin 
and distress. The bills were depreciated to about one- 
thirtieth of their nominal value. The pay of the officers 
and soldiers was insuflicient to procure them clothing. Con- 
gress finding its funds and credit exhausted, made a requisi- 
tion on the several states for provisions and forage. Private 
capitalists, of whom Robert Morris, Esq., of Philadelphia, 
was among the most liberal, made loans to the government, 
and loans were solicited in Europe. Notwithstanding these 
expedients, the army was wretchedly supplied ; and it re- 
quired all the patriotic exertions of their officers to restrain 
the men from desertion or open revolt. The example of 
their leaders, in cheerfully submitting to severe hardships, 
and making sport of privations which were any thing but 
light, had its effect in retaining the troops in the service, and 
making them bear, and do their utmost for the cause of their 
country. 

This year was signalised by the most celebrated of the 
achievements of Paul Jones. In August he sailed from France 
in the Bon Homme Richard, with six other vessels, the whole 
squadron being under his command. Having cruised success- 
fully off the coast of Ireland for some time, he sailed with 
the Pallas, of 32 guns, and the Vengeance, of 16 guns, to 
the coast of Scotland, captured several armed vessels in sight 
of the port of Leith, and after threatening to lay the town 
under contribution, which threat he was only prevented from 
executing by a violent gale of wind coming on, he again put 
to sea. 

A few days after this he fought his famous battle with the 
British frigate Serapis. On the 23d of September, 1779, at 
seven o'clock in the evening, the encounter took place off 
Flamborough-head, on the coast of England, and the moon 
shining brightly at the time, the action was witnessed by 
thousands of spectators assembled on the shore. The Serapis 



What is said of the paper money I Of the patriotic behaviour of capital- 
system ? I ists, officers, and men ? 



264 CAPTURE OF THE SERAPIS. 

was a new ship, with 44 giins, and a select crew. In every 
respect she was far superior to the Bon Homme Richard. 
The action commenced with a broadside from the Serapis, 
and raged with unremitting fury till the bowsprit of the British 
vessel coming over the poop of the Bon Homme Richard by 
her mizen mast, Jones himself seized the ropes that hung 
from the bowsprit, and made them fast to his own ship. The 
Serapis now swung round, so as to lie alongside the Ame- 
rican vessel, with the stern of one close to the bow of the 
other. The battle was then renewed with increasing fury, 
and lasted till half past ten o'clock, when the enemy's main- 
mast going by the board, he struck his colours. 

The details of the battle surpass any thing in the records 
of naval warfare for determined bravery and perseverance. 
The Bon Homme Richard was actually in a sinking state 
when the battle ended ; and there was hardly time allowed 
to take out the wounded men, before she went down. 

When the Serapis first hove in sight, she, in company 
with the Countess of Scarborough, a ship of 20 guns, was 
convoying a large fleet of merchantmen ; and while the action 
with the Bon Homme Richard was going on, the Pallas en- 
gaged and captured the Countess of Scarborough. 

Jones was honoured with the most unlimited confidence 
by congress, and received many marks of favour from that 
body, as well as from the king of France. 

The campaign of 1779, was productive of no decisive 
events. The Americans seem to have counted too much on 
the aid of their new allies, and to have exerted themselves 
but feebly in endeavouring to rid the country of its enemies; 
and yet they were bitterly disappointed, when at the end of 
the season it was found that little or notliing had been ac- 
complished towards bringing the war to a close. The army 
was dispirited by defeat ; and many of the citizens began to 
despair of the fortunes of the country. But the hardier 
spirits, the leaders in council and in the field, took heart 
when they recollected that the enemy had efl^ected little ex- 
cept the over-running and plundering an extensive tract of 
territory ; and that after all their battles, and marauding ex- 
peditions, they had been compelled to return to as narrow 
encampments as they had occupied before the campaign com- 
menced. 



What is said of PaulJones's victory ? I What is said ol the campaign of 
Describe the battle, | 1779 f 



SIEGE OF CHARLESTON. 



265 



CHAPTER XXX. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1780. 



Recent events in the southern country had convinced Sir 
Henry Clinton of the weakness of that portion of the Union, 
and had pointed it out as the proper theatre of war. Leaving, 
therefore, the command of the royal army in New York, to 
General Kniphausen, on the 26th of December, 1779, he 
sailed from that city with a considerable force, and after a 
stormy passage, on the 11th of the ensuing month he arrived 
at Tybee in Georgia, at the mouth of the Savannah river. 
Hence he proceeded to Ashley river, and encamped opposite 
to Charleston. 

On his arrival, the assembly of the state of South Carolina 
broke up its sitting, after having once more delegated a dic- 
tatorial authority to governor Rutledge, who immediately 
issued his orders for the assembling of the militia. These 
orders were not promptly obeyed. The disasters of the last 
campaign had damped the ardour of patriotism, and each man 
seemed to look to his neighbours for those exer.tions which 
might have been justly expected from himself. 

On reconnoitering the works of Charleston, however, Sir 
Henry Clinton did not deem it expedient to attack them till 
he had received reinforcements from New York and Sa- 
vannah. These soon arrived, and he proceeded to open the 
siege in form. 

Charleston is situated on a tongue of land, bounded on the 
west by Ashley, and on the east by Cooper river. The ap- 
proach to Ashley river was defended by Fort Moultrie, erect- 
ed on Sullivan's island ; and the passage up Cooper river 
was impeded by a number of vessels sunk in the channel, 
opposite the town. On the land side, the place was defended 
by a citadel and strong lines, extending from river to river. 

Before these lines Clinton broke ground on the 29th of 



When did Sir Henry Clinton arrive 
in Savannah P 

Whore did he soon after encamp ? 

What measure was taken by the as- 
sembly of South Carolina ? 

By governor Rutledge ? 



23 



By the people ? 

What was now done by Clinton ? 

Describe the situation and defences 

Of Charleston. 
Describe the opening and progress of 

the siege. 



266 



CAPITULATION OF CHARLESTON. 



March, and on the 10th of April, he completed his first 
parallel. On the preceding day. Admiral Arbuthnot, who 
commanded the British fleet, had passed Fori Moultrie with 
little loss, and had anchored near the town. About the 20th 
of April the British commander received a second reinforce- 
ment of 3,000 men ; and the place was soon completely in- 
vested by sea and by land — his third parallel being advanced 
to the very edge of the American works. 

General Lincoln, who commanded the American garrison 
in Charleston, would not have shut himself up in the town, 
if he had not confidently expected relief from the militia, 
who had been called out by governor Riitledge, and by whose 
assistance he had hoped if reduced to extremity, to have 
efTected a retreat across Cooper river. But the few who, in 
this hour of difficulty, advanced to his aid, were cut off or 
kept in check ; and the river was possessed by the enemy. 

In these distressful circumstances, after sustaining a bom- 
bardment which set the town on fire in different places, on 
the r2th of May he surrendered on a capitulation, the prin- 
cipal terms of which were, that ' the militia were to be per- 
mitted to return to their respective homes, as prisoners on 
parole, and while they adiiered to their parole, were not to be 
molested in their persons or property.' The same condi- 
tions were also imposed on all the inhabitants of the town, 
civil as well as military. 

Sir Henry Clinton now addressed himself to the business 
of re-establisb.ing the royal authority in the province, as a pre- 
liminary step to which, on the first of June he issued a pro- 
clamation, offering to the inhabitants, on condition of their 
submission, pardon fOr their past offences, a reinstatement in 
their rights, and what was remarkable, as indicating the low- 
ered tone of the ministry, exemption from taxation except by 
their own legislature. 

This proclamation was followed up by the posting of gar- 
risons in different parts of the country, to protect the tories 
and overawe the patriots, and by the march of 2,000 men 
towards Nordi Carolina. On their advance, the American 
troops, who had marched from that province too late for the 
relief of Charleston, retreated with the loss of a party of near 



What is said of General Lincoln ? 
"What was his situation ? 
On what terms did he surrender the 
town ! 



What was now done by Sir Ilenrj 
Clinton ? 

What terms did he offer to the peo- 
ple of South Carolina .' 

What followed the proclamation f 



CONPITION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 267 

400 men who were barbarously massacred, after surrendering 
to Colonel Tarlelon at the Waxhaws.* 

Thus completely successful, Clinton, early in June, em- 
barked with the principal part of his forces, for New York, 
having delegated the completion of the subjugation of South 
Carolina to Lord Cornwallis, with whom he left for that 
purpose an army of 4,000 men. 

When Lord Cornwallis assumed the command in South 
Carolina, the Americans had no army in the field within 400 
miles of that province, and the principal part of the inhabit- 
ants had submitted either as prisoners or as subjects. Had 
they been suffered to remain in this state of quiet neutrality, 
they would have adhered to their parole of honour, and 
awaited the issue of the contest in the northern states. 

But his lordship's instructions did not permit him to be 
contented with this passive obedience, and he proceeded to 
take measures to compel the South Carolinians to take up 
arms against their countrymen. For this purpose, he issued 
a proclamation, absolving from their parole, all the inhabitants 
who had bound themselves by that obligation, and restoring 
them ' to all the rights and duties belonging to citizens.' 

What was meant by the ominous word ' ditties'' was ex- 
plained by another part of the proclamation, whereby it was 
declared, ' that it Avas proper for all persons to take an active 
part in settling and securing his majesty's government, and 
that whoever should not do so, should be treated as rebels.' 

The Carolinians were highly indignant at the treacherous 
and unprincipled violation of the terms of their submission. 
Many of them justly considering the contract to be broken 
by this proceeding of the British commander, instantly re- 
sumed their arms ; and though more, under the impression 
of fear, enrolled themselves as subjects, tliey brought to the 
cause a hollow-hearted allegiance which couhl not be trusted 
in the day of trial. Large numbers quitted the province, and 
hastened to join the army wliich congress was raising for the 
purpose of recovering South Carolina, and others forming 
themselves into small bands, commenced a system of partisan 



Whither did Clinton then go i" 
Who succeeded him at Chnrleston ? 
What W.1S now the condition of South 

Carolina ? 
What did Cornwallis declare in his 

proclamation ? 



What did he require ? 

Wliat was the consequence of this 
treachery ? 

What kind of warfare was now com- 
menced in the South ? 



* This massacre gave a much more sanguinary turn to the war in the south. 
•Tarlcton's quarters' became proverbial, and in the subsequent battles, re- 
venge gave a keener edge to the just resentment of the patriots. 



268 



GATES S MARCH TO THE SOUTH. 



warfare which, for a long time, spread terror and desolation 
through the soulhern country. 

This partisan war commenced on the 12th of July, two 
monllis after the fall of Charleston, when 133 of Colonel 
Sumter's corps attacked and routed a detachment of the royal 
forces and militia at Williamson's plantation. This success 
brought in new volunteers, and Sumter soon found himself at 
the head of 600 men. With this increase of force he made 
a spirited attack on a party of the British at Rocky Mount, 
but as they were entrenched, and he had no artillery, he was 
obliged to retreat. Determined to keep his militia employed, 
he next attacked another royal detachment consisting of the 
Prince of Wales's regiment, and a large body of tories, posted 
at Hanging Rock. The Prince of Wales's regiment was 
nearly annihilated, being reduced from 278 to 9. The tories 
were dispersed. 

A body of Maryland and Delaware troops sent forward in 
March for the relief of Charleston, under the command of 
Baron de Kalb, had been delayed and had only reached Peters- 
burg on the 16th of April. General Gates, whose victory at 
Saratoga had given him a brilliant reputation, was ordered by 
congress to take command of this force, and the chief direc- 
tion of the southern campaign. On joining the army, in 
North Carolina, Gates was advised by De Kalb to proceed by 
a circuitous route, to the southward, where he would find 
plenty of provisions ; but conceiving it to be his duty to hasten 
with all speed to the scene of action, he preferred the straight 
forward road to Camden, which led through a desert pine 
barren. 

In traversing this dreary tract of country, his forces were 
exhausted with fatigue and hunger. The few cattle which 
his commissariat had provided having been consumed, his 
only resource for meat was the lean beasts which were acci- 
dentally picked up in the woods. Meal and grain were also 
very scarce ; and as substitutes for bread, the soldiers were 
obliged to have recourse to the green corn and fruits which 
they met with on their line of march. The consequence of 
unwonted diet was, that the army was thinned by dysentery 
and other diseases usually caused by the heat of the weather, 
and by unwholesome food. 



What was the commencement of this 

new kind of war .' 
What was the effect of Sumter's first 

success r* 
What was his next movement ? 



His next success ? 

Who now took command of the 

soutliern army ? 
What hardships were endured by the 

soldiers in their march southward } 



OPERATIONS OF GENERAL GATES 



269 



The soldiers at first bore these hardships with impatience, 
and symptoms of dissatisfaction and even of mutiny began to 
appear amongst them. But by the conciliatory exertions of 
the officers, who shared in all the privations of tlie common 
men, the spirit of murmuring was repressed, and the troops 
pursued their weary march with patience and even with cheer- 
fulness. 

On their arrival at the place called Deep creek, their dis- 
tresses were alleviated by a supply of good beef, accompanied 
by a distribution of half a pound of Indian corn meal to each 
man. Invigorated by this welcome refreshment, they pro- 
ceeded to the cross roads, where they were joined by a re- 
spectable body of militia under the command of General 
Caswell. 

Though Gates was aware that another body of militia was 
hastening to his assistance from Virginia, he was prevented 
from waiting for their arrival by want of provisions, and, after 
staying for one day only at the cross roads, finding that the 
enemy intended to dispute his passage at Lynch's creek, he 
marched to the right towards Clermont, where the British 
had established a defensible post. On his approach to the 
latter place, however. Lord Rawdon, who commanded the 
advance of the British, concentrated all his forces at Camden, 
whilst Gates mustered the whole of his army at Clermont, 
which is distant from Camden about 13 miles. 

These events occurred on the 13th of August, and on the 
next day the American troops were reinforced by a body of 
700 of the Virginia militia under General Stevens. At the 
same time Gates received an express from Colonel Sumter, 
who reported that he had been joined by a number of the 
South Carolina militia, at his encampment on the west side 
of the Wateree, and that an escort of clothing, ammunition, 
and other stores belonging to the British was proceeding from 
Charleston to Camden, and must of necessity, on its way to 
its destination, cross the Wateree at a ferry about a mile from 
that place. 

On receiving this intelligence, Gates sent forward a detach- 
ment of the Maryland line, consisting of 100 regular infantry. 



How were the soldiers reconciled to 

these hardships ? 
Where were they relieved, and where 

reinforced i" 
Where did Lord Rawdon concentrate 

his forces ? 



Where did General Gates muster his 

army ? 
What furtlier reinforcement did he 

receive ? 
What intelligence did he receive from 

Sumter ? 
What use did he make of it ? 



23" 



270 



BATTLE OF CAMPEX. 



and a company of artillery, with two brass fieldpieces, and 
300 North Carolina militia, all under the command of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Woodford, who was instructed to join Sumter, 
and assist him in intercepting the convoy. 

At the same time, Gates made preparations for advancing 
still nearer to Camden, in the expectation that, if Lord Raw- 
don did not abandon that post as he had done that of Cler- 
mont, his supplies would be cut off by the body of militia that 
were expected to pour forth from the upper counties, and he 
would thus be compelled to a surrender. 

On reaching the frontiers of South Carolina, Gates had 
issued a proclamation, inviting the inhabitants to join his 
standard, and offering an amnesty to such of them as, under 
the pressure of circumstances, had promised allegiance to the 
British government. Though this proclamation had not been 
without effect, it had not called forth the numbers upon which 
the American general had been led to calculate, and after the 
departure of Woodford's detachment. Gates could muster no 
more than between 4,000 and 5,000 disposable men. 

Determined, nevertheless, to persevere in his plan of offen- 
sive operations, he marched, about 10 at night, on the 15th 
of August, to within half a mile of Sander's creek, about half- 
way between his encampment and Camden. Lord Cornwal- 
lis, who, the day before, had repaired to his head quarters at 
Camden, and had taken command of the British army, was 
also resolved, though his forces amounted to only 2,000 men, 
of whom 1,700 were infantry, and 300 cavalry, to attack the 
enemy in their camp, and, advancing for that purpose at half 
past two in the morning, encountered their advanced parties 
near Sander's creek. Here some firing took place, with 
various success ; but on the whole, the British had the advan- 
tage in this night encounter, and the militia were not a little 
dispirited at this result. 

Early on the ensuing morning both armies prepared for 
battle. On the side of the Americans, the second Maryland 
brigade occupied the right, which was flanked by a morass ; 
the Virginia militia and the North Carolina infantry, also 
covered by some boggy ground, were posted on the left, 



What did he expect ? 

What had he ollered to the people ? 

Did they come in as freely as he had 
anticipated ? 

What was his whole force after send- 
ing off Woodford's detachment ? 

Who arrived at Camden August 15th ? 

What was his force .' 



What did he resolve r* 

What then took place ? 

What was the result of the night en- 
counter ? 

IIow were the Americans arranged 
for commencing the battle of Cam- 
den .' 



BATTLE OF CAMDEN. 



271 



whilst General Caswell, with the North Carolina division and 
the artillery, appeared in the centre. A corps de reserve, 
under the orders of General Smallwood, was posted about 
300 yards in the rear of the American line. 

In arranging the British forces. Lord Cornwallis gave the 
command of the right to Lieutenant Colonel Webster, with 
the 23d and 33d regiments of foot. The left was guarded by 
some Lish volunteers, the infantry of the legion, and part of 
Hamilton's regiment, under the command of Lord Rawdon. 
The cavalry of the legion was stationed in the rear, where 
also the 71st regiment was stationed as a reserve. 

The respective armies being thus disposed, the action began 
by the advance of 200 of the British in front of the American 
artillery, who received them with a steady fire. Gates then 
ordered the Virginia militia to advance under the command 
of Colonel Stevens, who cheerfully obeyed the orders of his 
commander in chief, and when he had led his men within 
firing distance, urged them to charge the enemy with their 
bayonets. This portion of the army, however, did not emu- 
late the gallantry of their leader. 

Lord Cornwallis, observing their movement, ordered Colo- 
nel Webster to attack them. This order was obeyed with a 
loud cheer. Intimidated by this indication of determined 
daring, the militia were panic-struck, and the Virginians and 
Carolinians threw down their arms and hastened from the 
field. Deserted by the centre and left wing of the army, the 
continental troops of the right wing, with the Baron de Kalb 
at their head, maintained their position with great firmness. 
They were charged by Lord Rawdon, the bayonet was re- 
sorted to by both parties, and the conflict continued for three- 
quarters of an hour. During this time the regiment on the 
left of the second Maryland brigade gained ground and made 
prisoners. 

The reserve, having its left exposed, was attacked by the 
British left wing, under Webster, and thrown into some dis- 
order. The soldiers, however, soon rallied, and renewed the 
action with unimpaired spirit. A second time, overpowered 
by numbers, they were broken, and a second time rallied, so 
as to cover the flank of the second brigade, who were still 
valiandy fighting, in hopes of obtaining the victory. 

The fire of the whole British army was now directed 



The British ? 

How did the action begin ? 
What was ordered by (Jates ? 
Who obeyed the order ? 



What caused the panic of the militia ? 
What is said of the American right 

wing? 
The reserve ? 



272 



DEATH OF BARON DE KALB. 



against these two brigades. They had not yielded an inch 
of ground, when Cornwallis, observing that they were with- 
out cavalry, pushed his dragoons upon them, and at the same 
instant charged with the bayonet. This charge broke their 
line ; and as they did not give way until they were intermin- 
gled with the enemy, they dispersed and fled in confusion. 

Before they were reduced to this last extremity, the Baron 
de Kalb, who fought on foot with the Maryland brigade, fell 
under eleven wounds. His aid-de-camp, Lieutenant du Buys- 
son, received him in his arms, announced his rank and nation 
to the surrounding foe, and begged that they would spare his 
life. While thus generously exposing himself to save his 
friend, he received several wounds, and, with his general, 
was taken prisoner. The baron expired in a few hours, and 
spent his last breath in dictating a letter, expressing the 
Avarmest afl'ection for the officers and men of his division, and 
the most exalted admiration of their courage and good con- 
duct.* 

The whole of the baggage and artillery of the Americans 
fell into the hands of the enemy, and the fugitives were pur- 
sued by the British cavalry for the space of 20 miles. So 
complete was this defeat, that, on the second day after the 
engagement. General Gates could only muster 150 of his 
soldiers at Charleston, a town in the south of North Carolina, 
whence he retreated farther north to Salisbury, and afterwards 
to Hillsborough. 

To add to the misfortunes of the Americans, the defeat of 
Gates was immediately followed by the surprise and disper- 
sion of Sumter's partisan corps. This brave officer had suc- 
ceeded in capturing the convoy with the British stores, al- 
ready mentioned ; but hearing of Gates's defeat, he began to 
retreat with his prisoners and stores. Tarleton, with his 
legion and a detachment of infantry, pursued with such cele- 
rity as to overtake and surprise him at Fishing creek. All 
the artillery and stores fell into the hands of the British, and 
the whole detachment was either killed, captured, or dis- 
persed. Their prisoners were, of course, all retaken. 

The sickliness of the season prevented Lord Cornwallis 
from attempting to pursue the remains of General Gates's 
army ; but he employed the leisure now afforded him in 



How did Cornwnllis proceed ? 
What was the result .' 
What is said of de Kalb ? 
What followed the battle ? 



What prevented Cornwallis from fol- 
lowing up his victory ? 
How did he employ his leisure ? 



Marshall. 



SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS OF CORNWALLIS. 273 

inflicting vengeance on such of the inhabitants of South Ca- 
rolina as had been induced to join the American standard. 
The militia men he doomed to the gallows. The properly 
of the fugitives and of the declared friends of independence 
he confiscated ; and he ^seized a number of the most re- 
spectable citizens of Charleston, and most of the military 
officers residing there under the faith of the late capitulation, 
and sent them to St. Augustine. 

Reduced to desperation by these injudicious severities, the 
bold and active among the patriots formed themselves anew 
into partisan bands under different chieftains, among whom 
Marion and Sumter were most distinguished by their spirit 
and enterprise. These bands harassed the scattered parties 
of the British, several of which they cut off"; and by their 
movements kept in check the tories to the north of the Ca- 
rolinas. 

Eight of these leaders of partisan bands, having collected 
their forces to the amount of 1,600, made an attack on Major 
Ferguson with his detachment of tories, and regulars on the 
top of King's mountain, October 7th. The Americans formed 
three parties : Colonel Lacy of South Carolina led one, which 
attacked on the west. The two others were commanded by 
Colonels Campbell and Cleveland ; one of which attacked 
on the east, and the other in the centre. 

On this occasion. Colonel Cleveland addressed his party 
in a harangue, which we copy from Dr. Ramsay's history, 
on account of the perfect idea it affords of the tactics of par- 
tisan warfare. It comprises the whole art of war of a bush 
fighter. 

' My brave fellows ! We have beat the tories, and we can 
beat them. They are all cowards. If they had the spirit 
of men, they would join with their fellow citizens, in sup- 
porting the independence of their country. When engaged 
you are not to wait die word of command from me. I will 
show you by my example how to fight. I can undertake no 
more. Every man must consider himself as an officer, and 
act from his own judgment. Fire as quick as you can, and 
stand as long as you can. When you can do no better, get 
behind trees, or retreat ; but I beg of you not to run quite 
off. If we be repulsed, let us make a point to return and 
renew the fight. Perhaps we may have better luck in the 



Give the particulars. 
How were these measures revenfjed ? 
Where did ISInjor Ferguson suffer a 
defeat from tlie partisan troops^? j 



How did the Americans attack ? 
What was the substance of Colonel 
Cleveland's speech to the men ? 



274 



GENERAL GATES SUPERSEDED. 



second attempt than in the first. If any of you be afraid, 
such have leave to retire; and they are requested immediately 
to take themselves OiT.' 

These directions were literally followed in the battle. Fer- 
guson attacked them with fixed bayonets, and compelled one 
party after another to retire ; but they only retreated to a 
short distance and getting behind trees and rocks renewed 
their fire in almost every direction. The British being un- 
covered were securely shot down by the assailants. Fergu- 
son himself was killed and his men were compelled to sur- 
render. Eight hundred became prisoners and 225 were 
killed or wounded. 

This success was followed by important results. Lord 
Cornwallis had marched into North Carolina in the direction 
of Salisbury ; but when he heard of the defeat and death of 
Ferguson, he retreated to Winnsborough in the southern 
province, being severely harassed in his retreat by the mililia 
and the inhabitants ; and when he retired into winter quar- 
ters, Sumter still kept the field. 

In the mean time General Gates had collected another army, 
with which he advanced to Charlotte. Here he received in- 
telligence that congress had resolved to supersede him, and 
to submit his conduct to a court of inquiry. This was the 
consequence of his defeat at Camden and of the general 
unsuccessful conduct of the campaign in the south. Mor- 
tified as he was by the withdrawal of his country's confi- 
dence, on receiving the notification of this resolve of the 
supreme power, he dutifully resigned his command. But on 
his way home from Carolina, his feelings were soothed by an 
address from the legislature of Virginia, assuring him that 
* the remembrance of his former glorious services could not 
be obliterated by any reverse of fortune.' 

While these events were occurring in the southern states, 
General Washington was obliged to confine himself to the 
irksome and inglorious task of watching from his encamp- 
ment at Morristown, the motions of the British on New York 
island, and of "restraining their incursions into the adjacent 
country. Though the army opposed to him was lessened 
by the detachment which Sir Henry Clinton led into South 



Describe the battle. 
How many of the British were taken? 
How many killed or wounded ? 
W'hat was the consequence of this 

battle to Cornwallis and Sumter ? 
What is related of General Gates .' 



Of the Virginia legislature ? 

Of General Washington ? 

What was the condition of his army, 

and of the enemy's force in his 

neighbourhood ? 



DISCONTENTS IN THE AKMV. 275 

Carolina, his own forces were proportionably weakened by 
the reinforcements which it was necessary for liini to send to 
the American army in the same quarter ; and never did dis- 
tress press more heavily upon him. 

Tiie depreciation of the currency was at that time so great, 
that four months' pay of a private would not purchase a 
single bushel of wheat. His camp was sometimes destitute 
of meat, and sometimes of bread. As each state provided 
its own quota of troops, no uniformity could be established 
in tiie distribution of provisions. This circumstance aggra- 
vated the general discontent, and a spirit of muliiiy began to 
display itself in two of tlie Connecticut regiments, which 
were with difficulty restrained from forcing their way home 
at the point of the bayonet. 

Of these discontents the enemy endeavoured to take ad- 
vantage, by circulating in the American camp proclamations 
offering the most tempting gratifications to such of the conti- 
nental troops as should desert the republican colours, and 
embrace the royal cause. But these offers were unavailing; 
mutinous as they were, the malcontents abhorred the thought 
of joining the enemies of their country ; and on the sea- 
sonable arrival of a fresh supply of provisions, they cheer- 
fully returned to their duty. 

Soon after this, when General Kniphausen, who com- 
manded the British forces in the absence of Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, made an irruption into Jersey, on the 16th of June, the 
whole American army marched out to oppose him ; and 
though he was reinforced by Sir Henry Clinton, who, during 
this expedition had arrived from Ciiarleston, he was compelled 
to measure back his steps. Both the advance and retreat of 
the German were marked by the devastation committed by 
his troops, who burnt the town of Springfield, and most of 
the houses on their line of march. 

Alarmed by the representations made by General Wash- 
ington, of the destitute condition of his army, congress sent 
three members of their body, with instructions to inquire 
into the condition of their forces, and with authority to re- 
form abuses. These gentlemen fully verified the statements 
of the commander in chief. No sooner was this fact known 
in the city of Philadelphia, than a subscription was set on 
foot for the relief of the suffering soldiers, which soon 



What occasioned the mutinous dispo- 
sition in the army ? 
What was done by the British ? 
How were they foiled ? 



What is said of Kniphausen's incur- 
sion into Jersey ? 
What was done by congress ? 
By the citizens of Philadelphia ? 



276 



ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH FLEET. 



amounted to $300,000. This sum was entrusted to the dis- 
cretion of a well chosen committee, who appropriated it to 
the purchase of provisions for the troops. 

The commissioners also applied themselves diligently to 
the task of recruiting and reorganising the army. 'I'hey pre- 
scribed to each state the quota of forces which it was to con- 
tribute towards the raising of 35,000 men, their deficiency 
in regulars being to be supplied by drafts from their respective 
militia. The states of New England, Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia, promptly listened to the call of their country, and made 
extraordinary eflbrts to furnish their several quotas of recruits. 
The other members of the union exerted themselves to the 
best of their ability ; and although the general result of these 
exertions did not produce the number of troops which was 
deemed requisite for the public service, more could not, in 
such circumstances, have been expected. 

The congress was the more earnest in their wishes to put 
their army on a respectable footing, as they were in expecta- 
tion of the arrival of a body of auxiliary forces from France. 
This welcome aid appeared oft' Rhode Island on the 10th of 
July, 1780, on which day Monsieur Ternay sailed into the 
harbour of Newport, with a squadron of seven sail of the 
line, five frigates and five schooners, convoying a fleet of 
transports, having on board 6,000 men, under the command 
of the Count de Rochambeau. 

Admiral Arbuthnot, who had under his command at New 
York, only four ships of the line, on hearing of the arrival 
of the French at Rhode Island, was apprehensive of being 
attacked by their sjiperior force. But he was soon relieved 
from his fears by the vigilance of the British ministry, who, 
on the sailing of the French fleet from Europe, had sent to 
his assistance Admiral Graves, with six ships of the line. 

On receiving this reinforcement, he sailed for Rhode Island, 
for the purpose of encountering the French squadron, whilst 
Sir Henry Clinton proceeded with 8000 men to the north of 
Long Island, for the purpose of landing on the opposite part 
of the continent, and attacking their land forces. But the 
British admiral found the French ships so well secured by 
batteries and other land fortifications, that he was obliged to 
content himself with blocking them up in their harbour ; and 



What was done by the commissioners ? 
By the states ? 

What happened July lOth, 1780 ? 
What was the French force > 
Who feared an attack from the 
French ? 



How was he saved ? 
What was done by Admiral Arbuth- 
not ? 
By Sir Henry Clinton > 
How was Arbuthnot foiled .' 



ARNOLD S TREASON. 



277 



Clinton, receiving intelligence that General Washington was 
preparing to take advantage of his absence, by making an 
attack on New York, hastened back to the relief of that place. 

Washington, on the retreat of General Clinton, withdrew to 
West Point, an almost impregnable position, situated about 
50 miles to the northward of New York, on the Hudson river, 
by means of which he kept up a communication between the 
eastern and southern states. Having occasion, towards the 
end of the month of September to go to Rhode Island, to hold 
a conference with the French admiral and Count Rochambeau, 
he left the command of this important post to General Arnold, 
unconscious that in so doing he entrusted the fortunes of the 
infant republic to a traitor. 

Arnold was brave and hardy, but dissipated and profligate. 
Extravagant in his expenses, he had involved himself in debts, 
and having had, on frequent occasions, the administration of 
considerable sums of the public money, his accounts were so 
unsatisfactory, that he was liable to an impeachment on charges 
of peculation. Much had been forgiven, indeed, and more 
would probably have been forgiven, to his valour and military 
skill. But alarmed by the terrors of a guilty conscience, he 
determined to get rid of pecuniary responsibility by betraying 
his country; and accordingly he entered into a negotiation 
with Sir Henry Clinton, in which he engaged, when a proper 
opportunity should present itself, to make such a disposition 
of his troops as would enable the British to make themselves 
masters of West Point. 

The details of this negotiation were conducted by Major 
Andre, the adjutant general of the British army, with whom 
Arnold carried on a clandestine correspondence, addressing 
him under the name of Anderson, whilst he himself assumed 
that of Gustavus. To facilitate their communications, the 
Vulture sloop of war was moved near to West Point, and the 
absence of Washington seeming to present a fit opportunity 
for the final arrangement of their plans, on the night of the 
21st of September, Arnold sent a boat to the Vulture to bring 
Andre on shore. 

That officer landed in his uniform, between the posts of the 
two armies, and was met by Arnold, with whom he held a 
conference which lasted tdl day-break, when it was too late 



What recalled Clinton ? 

Where was Washington posted ? 

To whom did he entrust the post ? 

On what occasion ? 

What was Arnold's character ? 



24 



What led to his treasonable conduct? 
With whom did he negotiate ? 
What did he engage to do ? 
Who conducted the details of the ne- 
gotiation } 



278 



CAPTURE OF MAJOR ANDRE. 



for him to return to the vessel. In this extremil)-, un- 
fortunately for himself, he allowed Arnold to conduct-him 
witliin one of the American posts, where he lay concealed 
till the next night. In the mean time, the Vulture, having 
been incommoded by an American battery, had moved lower 
down tile river, and the boatmen now refused to convey the 
stranger on board her. 

Being cut olf from this way of escape, Andre was advised 
to make for New York by land ; and, for this purpose, he was 
furnished with a disguise, and a passport signed by Arnold, 
designating him as .lohn Anderson. He had advanced in 
safety near the British lines, when he was stopped by three 
New York militia men, whose names were Paulding, Wil- 
liams and Vanvvart. Instead of showing them his pass, he 
asked them ' where they belonged to V and on their answer- 
ing ' to below,' meaning to New York, with singular want of 
judgment, he stated that he was a British officer, and begged 
them to let him proceed without delay. 

The men, now declaring their real character, seized him; 
and notwithstanding his offer of a purse of gold, a valuable 
watch, and much larger bribes from his government, if they 
would release him, they proceeded to search him, and found 
in one of his boots certain papers which gave fatal evidence 
of his own culpability, and of Arnold's treachery. These 
papers were in Arnold's hand writing, and contained exact 
and detailed returns of the forces, ordinance and defences of 
West Point, and its dependencies, with the artillery orders, 
critical remarks on the works, an estimate of the number of 
men that were ordinarily on duty to man them, and the copy 
of a state of matters that had, on the 6th of the montli, been 
laid Ijefore a council of war by the commander in chief 

AVhen Andre was conducted by his captors to the quarters 
of the commander of the scouting parties, still assuming the 
name of Anderson, he requested permission to write to Arnold, 
to inform him of his detention. This request was inronsiiler- 
ately granted ; and the traitor being thus apprised of his peril, 
instandy made his escape. At this moment, Washington 
arriving at West Point, was made acquainted with the whole 
affair. Having taken the necessary precautions for the se- 
curity of his post, he referred the case of his prisoner to a 
court martial, consisting of fourteen general oflicers. 



Relate tlie circumstances of Andre's 

capture. 
What did his papers contain ? 



How did he contrive to save Arnold ? 
What was done by Washington ? 



DEATH OF MAJOR ANDRE. 



279 




Capture of Major Andr6. 

Before this tribunal Andre appeared with steady composure 
of mind. He voluntarily confessed all the facts of his case. 
Being interrogated by the board, with respect to his concep- 
tion of his coming on shore under the sanction of a flag, he 
ingenuously replied, that ' if he had landed under that pro- 
tection, he might have returned under it.' The court having 
taken all the circumstances of the case into consideration, 
unanimously concurred in the opinion ' that he ought to be 
considered as a spy ; and that agreeably to the laws and 
usages of nations, he ought to suffer death.' 

Sir Henry Clinton, first by amicable negotiation, and after- 
wards by threats, endeavoured to induce the Afiierican com- 
mander to spare the life of his friend ; but Washington did 
not think this act of mercy compatible with his duty to his 
country, and Andre was ordered for execution. He had 
petitioned to be allowed to die a soldier's death, but this re- 
quest could not be granted. Of this circumstance, however, 
he was kept in ignorance, till he saw the preparations for his 
final catastrophe, when finding that the bitterness of his 
destiny was not to be alleviated as he wished, he exclaimed, 
' It is but a momentary pang,' and calmly submitted to his fate. 

No circumstance whicli occurred during the war was more 
trying to the feelings of Washington than this. The noble 
ingenuousness of Andre; his disinterested exertions to save 
his accomplice, by sending him intelligence of his capture; 
and his firmness in the last trying moments, all pronounced 
him worthy of a better fate. But his having consented in an 
evil hour to assume the detestable character of a spy, and an 



By Andre on his tiial ? 

By the court ? 

By Sir Henry Clinton ? 



How did Andre die ? 
What remarks are made on this af- 
fair ? 



280 MUTINY IN THE AMERICAN CAMP. 

agent in a scheme of treason, placed him beyond the reach 
of that mercy which the magnanimous Washington would 
have rejoiced to extend, if the safety of his country would 
have permitted it. 

The treason of Arnold received the stipulated reward. He 
was immediately appointed brigadier general in the service of 
the king of Great Britain; and, on his promotion he had the 
folly and presumption to publish an address, in which he 
avowed, that, being dissatisfied with the alliance between the 
United States and France, ' he had retained his arms and 
command for an opportunity to surrender them to Great 
Britain.' This address was exceeded in meanness and inso- 
lence by another, in which he invited his late companions in 
arms to follow his example. The American soldiers read 
these manifestoes with scorn; and so odious did the character 
of a traitor, as exemplified in the conduct of Arnold, become 
in their estimation, that ' desertion wholly ceased amongst 
them at this remarkable period of the war.'* 

Circumstances however, took place soon after the discovery 
of Arnold's treason, which led that renegade to entertain de- 
lusive hopes that the army of Washington would disband 
itself. The Pennsylvania troops, then stationed on the Hud- 
son, had been enlisted on the ambiguous terms of ' serving 
three years, or during the continuance of the war.' As the 
three years from the date of their enrolment were expired, 
they claimed their discharge, which was refused by the of- 
ficers, who maintained that the option of the two abovemen- 
tioned conditions rested with the state. 

Wearied out with privations, and indignant at what they 
deemed an attempt to impose upon them, the soldiers flew to 
arms, deposed tlieir olTicers, and under the guidance of others 
whom they elected in their place, they quitted Morristown 
and marclied to Princeton. Here they were solicited by the 
most tempting offers on the part of some emissaries sent by 
Sir Henry Clinton, to put themselves under the protection of 
the Briiisli government. But they were so far from listening 
to these overtures, that they arrested Sir Henry's agents, and, 
their grievances having been redressed by the interposition of 



How was Arnold rewarded for liis 
treason by the British ? 

\Vh;it was tlien done by him ? 

Whom did lie endeavour to cor- 
rupt ? 



What is said of the Pennsylvania 

troops ? 
Of Sir Itonry Clinton's emissaries ? 
Of the mutinous troops ? 
How were Sir Henry's agents treated f 



Ramsay. 



VIRGINIA INVADED BY ARNOLD. 



281 



a committee of congress, they returned to their duty ; and the 
British spies, having been tried by a board of ofiicers, were 
condemned to death and executed. 

A similar revolt of a small body of the Jersey line was 
quelled by the capital punishment of two of the ringleaders of 
the mutineers. The distresses, which were the chief cause 
of this misconduct of the American soldiery, were principally 
occasioned by the depreciation of the continental currency ; 
which evil at this period effected its own cure, as the depre- 
ciated paper was by common consent, and without any act of 
the legislature, put out of use ; and by a seasonable loan from 
France, and the revival of trade with the French and Spa- 
nish West Indies,' its place was speedily supplied by hard 
money. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1781. 



This was the last campaign of the revolutionary war. Its 
events decided the contest in favour of American indepen- 
dence. 

Though the Spaniards and the Dutch had united with 
France in hostility against Great Britain, she still, with un- 
conquered spirit, everywhere made head against her foreign 
enemies ; and the king's ministers were now more than ever 
determined, by an extension of combined measures, to reduce 
the North American provinces to submission. The plan of 
the campaign of 1781, accordingly, comprehended active 
operations in the state of New York, South Carolina, and 
Virginia. 

The invasion of the last mentioned state was entrusted to 
Arnold ; who, taking with him a force of 1,600 men, and a 
number of armed vessels, sailed up the Chesapeake, spreading 
terror and devastation wherever he came. An attempt to in- 



"What is said of the Jersey troops ? 

What was the chief cause of discon- 
tent among the soldiery ? 

How was it removed ? 

What was the state of affairs at the 
commencement of the campaign of 
1781 ? 



What was the disposition of the Bri- 
tish ministry ? 

What was their plan for the cam- 
paign ? 

Give an account of Arnold's opera- 
tions. 



24* 



282 



GENERAL GREENE IN THE SOUTH. 



tercept him was made by the French fleet, which sailed from 
Rhode Island for that purpose ; but after an indecisive en- 
gagement with the fleet of Admiral Arbiuhnot, off" the capes 
of Virginia, was obliged to return to Newport, leaving the 
invaded state open to the incursions of the British, who, 
making occasional advances into the country, destroyed an 
immense quantity of public stores, and enriched themselves 
with an extensive plunder of private property, at the same 
time burning all the shipping in the Chesapeake and its tri- 
butary streams, which they could not conveniently carry away 
as prizes. 

The Carolinas also sufl!'ered severely by the scourge of war. 
When Gates was removed from the command of the American 
forces in that district, he was succeeded by General Greene, 
to whose charge he transferred the poor remains of his army, 
which were collected at Charlotte, in North Carolina, and 
which amounted to 2,000 men. These troops were imper- 
fecfly armed and badly clothed ; and such was the poverty of 
the military chest, that they were obliged to supply themselves 
with provisions by forced requisitions made uj)on the inhabi- 
tants of the adjacent country. 

In these circumstances, to encounter the superior forces of 
the enemy in pitched batUe, would have been madness. 
Greene, therefore, resolved to carry on the war as a partisan 
officer, and to avail himself of every opportunity of harassing 
the British in detail. 

The first enterprise which he undertook in prosecution of 
this system, was eminently successful. Understanding that 
the inhabitants of the district of Ninety-Six, who had submit- 
ted to the royal authority, were severely harassed by the 
licensed acts of plunder committed by the king's troops and 
the loyalists, he sent General Morgan into that quarter with 
a small detachment, which was, on its arrival, speedily in- 
creased by the oppressed countrymen, who were burning for 
revenge. 

Lord Cornwallis, who was at this moment on the point of 
invading North Carolina, no sooner heard of this movement, 
than he sent Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton, with 1,100 men, 
to drive Morgan out of the district. Tarleton was an active 
partisan oflicer, and had been as successful in his various en- 



Whnt is sniil of the Carolinns ■" 
Who succeeded General Gates in the 

south ? 
What was the condition of the south- 
ern army ? 



What was General Greene's plan of 

operations ? 
Where did he commence, and how .' 
Who was sent to oppose Morgan } 
What is said of Tarleton .' 



BATTLE OF COWPENS. 



283 




Battle of Cowpens. 

counters with the republican troops, as he had been cruel and 
sanguinary in the use of his victories. His former success, 
however, and the superiority of his numbers to those of Mor- 
gan's forces, caused him too much to despise his enemy. 

In pursuance of Lord Cornvvallis's orders, he marched in 
quest of his antagonist, and, on the evening of the 16th of 
January, 1781, he arrived at the ground which General Mor- 
gan had quitted a few hours before. At two o'clock in the 
morning, he recommenced his pursuit of the Americans, 
marching with extraordinary rapidity through a very difficult 
country, and at dayliglit he discovered the detachment of 
Morgan in his front. From the intelligence obtained from 
the prisoners who were taken by his scouting parties, he 
learned that Morgan waited his attack at a place called the 
Cowpens, near Pacolet river. 

Here the American commander had drawn up his little 
army, two-thirds of which consisted of militia, in two lines, 
the first of which was advanced about 200 yards before the 
second, with orders to form on the right of the second, in 
case the onset of the enemy should oblige them to retire. 
The rear was closed by a small body of regular cavalry, and 
about forty-five mounted militia men. 

On the sight of this array, Tarleton ordered his troops to 
form in line. But before this arrangement was effected, that 
officer, obeying the dictates of rash valour rather than those 
of prudence, commenced the attack, heading his squadron in 
person. The British advanced with a shout, and assailed 
their adversaries with a well-directed discharge of musketry. 
The Americans reserved their fire till the British were withia 



Where did he overtake Morgan .' 
How was his little army drawn up ? 



What is said of Tarleton ? 
Describe the battle of Cowpens. 



284 



MORGAN S RETREAT. 



40 or 50 yards of their ranks, and then poured among them 
a volley which did considerable execution. The British, 
however, pushed on, and obliged the militia to retire from the 
field. They then assailed the second line, and compelled it 
to fall back on the cavalry. 

Here the Americans rallied, and renewed the fight with 
desperate valour : charging the enemy with fixed bayonets, 
they drove back the advance, and following up their success, 
overthrew the masses of their opponents, as they presented 
themselves in succession, and finally won a complete and de- 
cisive victory. Tarleton fled from the bloody field, leaving 
his artillery and baggage in possession of the Americans. 
His loss amounted to 300 killed and wounded, and 500 pri- 
soners, whilst that of the Americans was only 12 killed and 
60 wounded. 

Immediately after the action, General Greene sent off the 
prisoners, under a proper guard, in the direction of Virginia; 
and as soon as he had made the requisite arrangements, he 
followed them with his little army, leaving Morgan on the 
Catawba, watching tlie motions of the enemy. 

On receiving intelligence of Tarleton's defeat. Lord Corn- 
wallis hastened in pursuit of the victors, and forced his 
marches with such efi'cct, that he reached the Catawba river 
on the evening of the day on which Morgan had crossed it; 
but here his progress was for a short time impeded, as a 
heavy fall of rain had rendered the stream impassable. When 
the waters subsided, he hurried on, hoping to overtake the 
Americans before they had crossed the Yadkin ; but when 
he arrived at that river, he found to his mortification, that 
they hnd crossed it, and had secured the craft and boats, 
which they had used for that purpose, on tlie eastern bank. 
He, therefore, marched higher up the stream till he found the 
river fordable. 

Whilst he was employed in this circuitous movement, 
General Greene had united his forces with those of Morgan, 
at Guildford Court-house. Still, however, the forces of the 
American commander were so far inferior to those of the 
enemy, that, not choosing to risk an engagement, he hastened 
straight onwards to the river Dan, whilst Lord Cornwallis, 
traversing the upper country, where the streams are fordable. 



What was the rcsiilt ? 
The loss on each side ? 
Whither did Greene Dion march ? 
Give an account of Mortjan's retreat 
and Cornwallis's pursuit. 



Wliere did Greene unite his forces 

with those of Morpan ? 
Wiu) was pursuing him ? 
I?y what route ? 



GREENE S RETREAT. 



285 



proceeded, in the hope that he might gain upon the Ameri- 
cans, so as to overtake them, in consequence of their being 
obstructed in their progress by the deep water below. 

But so active was General Greene, and so fortunate in 
finding the means of conveyance, that he crossed the Dan, 
in Virginia, with his whole army, artillery and baggage. 
So narrow, however, was his escape, that the van of Corn- 
wallis's ar^iiy arrived in time to witness the ferrying over of 
his rear. 

Mortified as Lord Cornwallis was, by being thus disap- 
pointed of the fruits of his toilsome march, he consoled 
himself by the reflection that the American army being thus 
driven out of North Carolina, he was master of that state, 
and was in a condition to recruit his forces by the accession 
of the loyalists, with whom he had been led to believe that 
it abounded. He, therefore, summoned all true subjects of 
his majesty to repair to the royal standard, which he had 
erected at Hillsborough. This experiment had little success. 
The friends of the British government were in general timid, 
and diffident of his lordship's power ultimately to protect 
them. Their terrors were confirmed, when they learned that 
the indefatigable Greene had recrossed the Dan, and had cut 
off a body of tories who were on their march to join the 
royal forces, and that he had compelled Tarleton to retreat 
from the frontier of the province to Hillsborough. For seven 
days, the American commander manoeuvred within ten miles 
of the British camp; and at the end of that time, having re- 
ceived reinforcements from Virginia, he resolved to give Lord 
Cornwallis battle. 

The engagement took place on the 15th of March, near 
Guildford Court-house. The American army consisted of 
4,400 men, of which, more than one-half were militia ; and 
the British of 2,400 veterans ; after a brisk cannonade in 
front the militia in advance were thrown into some confu- 
sion by the rash folly of a colonel, who, on the advance of 
the enemy, called out to an officer, at some distance, that 'he 
would be surrounded.' This alarm caused the North Carolina 
militia to fly. The Virginia militia, and the continental troops, 



Where did Greene hnve a narrow 

escape ? 
How did Cornwallis console himself ? 
Whom did he invite^ to join his 

standard ? 
What deterred them from doing so ? 
What success of General Greene 

alarmed them ? 



How long did he manoeuvre near the 

British camp ? 
What induced liim to give battle ? 
Where and when did the engagement 

take place ? 
Describe it. 



286 



BATTLE OF GUILDFORD. 



maintained the conflict spiritedly for an hour and a half; but 
the discipline of the veteran British troops at length pre- 
vailed, and the Americans were obliged to retire ; but only to 
the distance of three miles. 

All the advantages of victory were on the side of the 
Americans, for although Lord Cornwallis kept the field, he 
had suffered such loss in the action, that he was unable to act 
on the offensive directly after, and was soon compelled to 
march towards Wilmington, leaving his sick and wounded 
behind him. On this retreat he was pursued by General 
Greene as far as Deep river. 

At Wilmington, Lord Cornwallis made a -tialt for three 
days, for the purpose giving his troops some rest ; and at the 
end of that time, resolving to carry the war into Virginia, he 
marched to Petersburg, an inland town of that state, situated 
on James river. Hither it was expected that he would have 
been followed by the Americans ; but Greene, being aware 
that his lordship had by this movement approached nearer to 
the American main army, and confident that his movements 
would be closely watched by tlie Virginia militia, after mature 
consideration, adopted the bold measure of again penetrating 
into South Carolina. 

That state was in the military occupation of the British, 
■who were, indeed, harassed by the partisan troops of Marion 
and Sumter, but were in such apparent strength, that there 
was reason to fear that tlie republicans, if not aided by further 
support, would abandon the cause of their country in despair. 
The British had formed chains of posts, which, extending 
from the sea to the western extremity of the state, main- 
tained a mutual communication by strong patrols of bodies 
of horse. 

The first of these lines of defence was established on the 
Wateree, on the banks of wliich river, the British occupied 
the well fortified town of Camden, and Fort Watson, situated 
between that place and (^harleston. The attack of the fort, 
Greene entrusted to Marion, who soon compelled its garrison 
to sunender on capitulation. 

In encountering Lord Rawdon, near Camden, Greene was 
not so fortunate. In consequence of the unsteadiness of a 
few of his troops, he was defeated, but moved off the ground 



Wlint wns the result ? 
Who had the advantages of victory ? 
What is said of Cornwallis ^ 
What induced Greene to penetrate 
again into South Carolina .' 



What was the condition of that state? 
How was it defended ? 
Who took Fort Watson ? 
What was the result of Greene's en- 
counter with Lord Rawdon ? 



SIEGE OF NINETY-SIX. 



287 



in such good order, that he saved his artihery, and though 
wounded, he took up a position, at the distance of about five 
miles from Camden, from which he sent out parties to inter- 
cept the supplies, of which he was apprised that his antago- 
nist was in the utmost need. 

In consequence of the vigilance of Greene in cutting off 
his resources and of the loss of Fort Watson, which had 
been the link of his communication with Charleston, Lord 
Rawdon, after having in vain endeavoured to bring on a 
second general engagement witlr the Americans, was re- 
duced to the necessity of destroying a part of his baggage, 
and retreating to the south side of the river Santee. This 
retrograde movement encouraged the friends of congress to 
resume their arms, and hasten to reinforce the corps of Ma- 
rion, who speedily made himself master of the British posts 
on the Congaree, the garrisons of which were in general 
made prisoners, whilst those who escaped that fate by a timely 
evacuation of their positions, made good their retreat to 
Charleston. 

Savannah river now presented the last line of defence held 
by the British, who there possessed the town of Augusta, and 
the post of Ninety-Six. The former of those places were 
attacked by Colonel Lee, and after a very obstinate defence 
on the part of the commander. Colonel Brown, it surrendered 
on honourable terms. 

The important post of INinety-Six, commanded by Lieute- 
nant Colonel Cruger, was strongly fortified and defended by 
500 men. On reconnoitering the place. General Greene, 
whose army was not much more numerous than the garrison, 
determined to besiege it in form. He accordingly broke 
ground on the 25th of May, and pushed his works with 
such vigour, that he had approached within six yards of the 
ditch, and had erected a mound 30 feet high, from which his 
riflemen poured their shot with fatal aim upon the opposite 
parapet of the enemy, who were hourly expected to beat a 
parley. 

But this bright prospect of success was at once overclouded 
by the arrival of intelligence that Lord Rawdon, having re- 
ceived reinforcements from Ireland, was hastening to the 
relief of his countrymen at the head of 2,000 men. In this 
extremity Greene made a desperate effort to carry the place 



How did Greene afterwards proceed ? 
To what measure did he compel Lord 

Rawdon ? 
What was effected by Marion ? 



Who took Augusta from the British ? 
Describe Greene's operations at Nine- 
ty-Six. 
What obliged him to raise the siege ? 



388 



GREENE RETREATS. 



by assault, but was repulsed, and evacuating the works which 
he had constructed with so much labour, he retreated to the 
nortliward, across the Saluda, whence he was followed by 
Lord Rawdon beyond the Ennoree. 

The feelings of the American commander on seeing the 
fruit of his toils thus suddenly and unexpectedly torn from 
his grasp, must have been of a most agonising nature. But 
Greene was gifted with an elasticity of spirit which prevented 
him from yielding to the pressure of misfortune, and his oppo- 
nents seldom found him more dangerous than immediately 
after suffering a defeat. On tiie present occasion, when some 
of his counsellors advised him to retreat to Virginia, he firmly 
replied, ' I will recover South Carolina, or die in the attempt.* 

On maturely deliberating on the object of the campaign, and 
the relative situation of himself and the enemy, he was well 
aware that though Lord Rawdon was superior to him in the 
number as well as the discipline of his troops, yet if his lord- 
ship kept iiis army concentrated, he could afford no encourage- 
ment, or even protection to the royalists, and that if it were 
divided, it might be beaten in detail. As he expected, the 
British commander, finding he could not bring him to an 
engagement, took the latter course, and withdrawing a 
detachment from Ninety-Six, re-established himself on the 
line of the Congaree. 

Within two days, however, after his arrival at the banks 
of that river, he was astonished to find his indefatigable 
enemy in his front, with numbers so recruited, that he thought 
it prudent to decline the battle which was offered him, and 
retreated to Orangeburgh, where he was joined by Lieutenant 
Colonel Cruger, who, in the present circumstances, had 
thought it prudent to evacuate his post at Ninety-Six. On 
the junction of the forces of these two commanders, Greene 
retired to the heights above Santee, whence he sent his active 
coadjutors, Marion and Sumter, with strong scouting parties, 
to intercept the communication between Orangeburgh and 
Charleston. 

As a last effort to maintain their influence in the centre of 
the state, the British took post in force, near the confluence of 
the Wateree and Congaree ; but on the approach of Greene, 



Whither was he obliged to retreat ? 
What is said of Greene's feelings and 

character ? 
What was the alternative of Lord 

Rawdon .' 
What course did he take ? 



What astonished him after his arrival 

at the t"onj;;)ree ? 
Whither did he retreat? 
Who reinforced him ? 
Whither did Greene then retire ? 



AFFAIR OF COLONEL HAYNB. 



289 



they retreated for the space of 40 miles, and waited his threat- 
ened attack at the Eutaw Springs. Greene advanced with 
2,000 men, to attack them. The action was severe, and the 
Americans, both continental troops and militia, displayed the 
greatest intrepidity. The British were finally compelled to 
give way, and fled on all sides. Their loss, inclusive of pri- 
soners, was 1,100 men; that of the Americans was above 500, 
of which number 60 were officers. After this signal defeat, 
the British were glad to abandon the interior of South Caro- 
lina to the victorious patriots, and take shelter in Charleston. 

Of all the incidents of the American revolutionary war, the 
most brilliant is this campaign of General Greene. At the 
head of a beaten army, undisciplined and badly equipped, he 
entered the state of South Carolina, which was occupied, from 
its eastern to its western extremity, by an enemy much supe- 
rior to him in numbers, in appointments, and in military ex- 
perience. But by his genius, his courage, and his perseve- 
rance, he broke their lines of operation, drove them from post 
to post, and though defeated in the field, he did not cease to 
harass them in detail, till he had driven them within the forti- 
fications of the capital. 

Well did he merit the gold medal and the British standard 
bestowed on him by a vote of congress on this occasion. By 
his successes he revived the drooping spirits of the friends of 
independence in the southern states, and prepared the way for 
the final victories which awaited the arms of his country in 
Virginia and which led to the happy termination of the war. 

Whilst the American commander was enjoying the honours 
bestowed upon him by his grateful countrymen, as the just 
meed of his valour and skill in arms, liOrd Rawdon, soon after 
his return to Charleston, by an example of severity, brought 
odium on the British cause, and fired the breasts of the conti- 
nentals with indignation. Amongst the American officers who 
distinguished themselves in the defence of South Carolina was 
Colonel Hayne, a gentleman of fortune, and of considerable 
influence in his neighbourhood. After the capitulation of 
Charleston, Hayne voluntarily surrendered himself to the Bri- 
tish authorities, requesting to be allowed his personal liberty 
on parole. This indulgence, usually granted to officers of 
rank, he could not obtain ; and was told that he must either 



Where did the British finally concen- 
trate and await Greene's attack ? 

Describe the battle of Eutaw Springs. 

Whither were the British finally 
driven ? 



What is said of Greene's campaign in 

the south ? 
What had he accomplished ? 
What is said of Lord Rawdon ? 
Relate the affair of Colonel Hayne. 



25 



290 C0RNWALLI3 IN VIRGINIA. 

take tlie oath of allegiance to his Britannic majesty, or submit 
to close confinement. 

In an evil lioiir, induced by family considerations, he chose 
the former alternative, and signed a declaration of fealty to 
George III, protesting, however, against the clause which re- 
quired him to support the royal government with arms ; which 
clause the officer who received his submission, assured liim it 
was not intended to enforce. The oflicer in question, no 
doubt, in this assurance exceeded his authority, and Hayne 
was some lime after summoned to join the royal standard. 
Kegarding this as a breach of tlie contract into which he had 
entered with the British, he again took up arms on the side of 
independence, and having been taken prisoner in a skirmish 
with part of the royal forces, he was, without the formality of 
atrial, ordered for execution by Lord Rawdon. 'I'o tlie peti- 
tion of this unfortunate officer's family, as well as those of the 
inhabitants of Charleston, his lordship turned a deaf ear, and 
Hayne suffered as a rebel and a traitor. The death of this 
gallant soldier has left an eternal stigma on the character 
of Lord Rawdon. It was a measure dictated by savage cruel- 
ty and revenge and founded on no principle either of justice 
or policy. 

It has already been related, that after tlie batde of Guildford, 
Lord Cornwallis marched to Petersburg, in Virginia. His 
lordship did not take this step without hesitation. He well 
knew the enterprising character of his opponent, ami was aware 
of the probability of his making an incursion into Soulli Caro- 
lina. He flattered himself, however, that the forces which he 
had left in that slate, under the command of Lord Rawdon, 
would suffice to keep the Americans in check. In this idea 
he was confirmed by the result of the battle of Camden, and 
by the receipt of intelligence that three British regiments, 
which had sailed from Cork, might be expected speedily to 
arrive at Charleston. 

No longer anxious therefore, for the fate of South Carolina, 
he determined to march forwards, in the confident hope of 
increasing his military renown by the conquest of Virginia. 
He accordingly advanced with rapidity from Petersburg to 
Manchester, on James River, with a view of crossing over 
from that place to Richmond, for the purpose of seizing a 
large quantity of stores and provisions, which had been de- 



Wliither had Cornwallis marched ? 
Why did he not pursue Greene ? 
What did he expect to accomplish ^ 



Whither did he march ? 
For what purpose ? 



CORNWALLIS OCCUPIES YORKTOWN. 



291 



posited there by the Americans. But on his arrival at Man- 
chester, he had the mortification to tind that, on the day before, 
this depot had been removed by the Marquis de la Fayette, 
who, at the command of congress, had hastened from the head 
of the Elk to oppose him. 

Having crossed James River at Westow, his lordship 
marched through Hanover county to the South Anna River, 
followed at a guarded distance by the marquis, who, in this 
critical contingency, finding his forces inferior to those of the 
enemy, wisely restrained the vivacity which is the usual cha- 
racteristic of his age and country. But having effected a junc- 
tion with General Wayne, which brought his numbers nearly 
to an equality with those of the British, and having once more, 
by a skilful manoeuvre, saved his stores, which had been re- 
moved to Albemarle old Court-house, he displayed so bold a 
front, that the British commander fell back to Richmond, and 
thence to Williamsburgh. 

On his arrival at the latter place. Lord Cornwallis received 
despatches from Sir Henry Clinton, requiring him to send in- 
stantly from his army a detachment to the relief of New York, 
which was threatened with a combined attack by the French 
and the Americans. The consequent diminution of his force 
induced his lordship to cross James River, and to march in 
the direction of Portsmouth. Before, however, the reinforce- 
ments destined for New York had sailed, he received counter 
orders and instructions from Sir Henry Clinton, in pursuance 
of which he conveyed his army, amounting to 7,000 men, to 
Yorktown, which place he proceeded to fortify with the ut- 
most skill and industry. 

The object of Lord Cornwallis in thus posting himself at 
Yorktown, was to co-operate in the subjugation of Virginia 
M'ilh a fleet which he was led to expect would about this time 
proceed from the West Indies to the Chesapealce. Whilst 
his lordship was anxiously looking for the British pennants, 
he had the mortification, on the 30th of August, to see the 
Count de Grasse sailing up the bay with 28 sail of the line, 
three of which, accompanied by a proper number of frigates, 
were immediately despatched to block up York river. 



Who disappointed him, and in what 

manner ? 
Whither did he then march ? 
Who followed him ? 
What com pelled Cornwallis to retreat, 

in his turn } 



What orders did he receive from Sir 

Henry Clinton ? 
Whither did he proceed when these 

orders were countermanded ? 
What was his object ? 
Whom did he expect to assist him ? 
Who sailed up the river August 30th f 



292 



PREPARATIONS FOR THE SIEGE OF NEW YORK. 



The French vessels had no sooner anchored, than they 
landed a force of 3,200 men, who, under the command of the 
Marquis of St. Simon, effected a junction with the army of 
La Fayette, and took post at Williamsburgh. Soon after this 
operation, the hopes of the British were revived by the ap- 
pearance off the capes of Virginia, of Admiral Graves, with 
20 sail of the line, a force which seemed to be competent to 
extricate Lord Cornwallis from his difficult position. These 
hopes, however, proved delusive. 

On the 7th of September, M. de Grasse encountered the 
British fleet, and a distant fight took place, in which the 
French seemed to rely more on their mana?uvring than on 
their valour. The reason of this was soon apparent. In the 
course of the night that followed the action, a squadron of 8 
line of bailie ships, safely passed the British, and joined De 
Grasse, in consequence of which accession of strength to his 
antagonist, Admiral Graves thought it prudent to quit that part 
of the coast, and retire to New York. This impediment to 
their operations having been removed, the Americans and 
French directed the whole of their united efforts to the capture 
of Yorktown. 

This had not, however, been the original design of General 
Washington at the commencement of the campaign. Early 
in the spring, he had agreed with Count Rochambeau to lay 
siege to New York, in concert willi a French fleet which was 
expected to reach the neighbourhood of Slaten Island in the 
month of August. He had accordingly issued orders for con- 
siderable reinforcements, especially of militia, to join his army 
in proper time to commence the projected operations. 

The French troops under Rochambeau having arrived punc- 
tually at his encampment near Pcekskill, General Washing- 
ton advanced to King's Bridge, and hemmed in the British 
on York Island. Every preparation seemed now to be in 
forwardness for the commencement of the siege; but the 
militia came in tardily. The adjacent states were dilatory in 
sending in their quotas of troops ; and whilst he was im- 
patiently awaiting their arrival, Washington had the mortifica- 
tion to receive intelligence that Clinton had received a re- 
inforcement of 3,000 Germans. 



Whnt forcp did the French land P 
A\lui attempted to relieve the Kn^ti'^li^ 
What naval operations prevented this? 
What were llie Americans and French 

then enabled to do ? 
What had Washington orjginall}' in- 
tended ? 



Who was to assist him ? 

What progress was malle towardi 
beginning the siege of New York .' 

What hindered Washington's opera- 
tions .' 

What reinforcement did Clinton re- 
ceive .' 



WASHINGTON MARCHES SOUTH. 293 

Whilst his mind was agitated by this disappointment, and 
chagrined by that want of zeal on the part of the middle states 
which he apprehended could not but bring discredit on his 
country in the estimation of his allies, he was relieved from 
his distresses by the news of the success of Greene in driving 
Lord Cornwallis into Yorktown; and at the same time learn- 
ing that the destination of Count de Grasse was the Chesa- 
peake, and not Staten Island, he resolved to transfer his 
operations to the state of Virginia. Still, however, he kept 
up an appearance of persevering in his original intention of 
making an attack upon New York, and in this feint he was 
aided by the circumstance, that when this was' in reality his 
design, a letter in which he detailed his plans for its prosecu- 
tion, had been intercepted and read by Sir Henry Clinton. 

When, therefore, in the latter end of August, he broke up 
his encampment at Peekskill, and directed his march to the 
south, the British commander, imagining that this movement 
was only a stratagem calculated to throw him off his guard, 
and that the Americans and French would speedily return to 
take advantage of his expected negligence, remained in his 
quarters, and redoubled his exertions to strengthen his posi- 
tion. In consequence of this error he lost the opportunity 
of impeding the march of the allied army, and of availing 
himself of the occasions which might have presented them- 
selves of bringing it to action before it could effect a junc- 
tion with the troops already assembled in the vicinity of 
Yorktown. 

As soon, however, as Sir Henry Clinton was convinced of 
General AVashinglon's intention of proceeding to the south- 
ward, with a view of bringing him back, he employed Arnold, 
with a sufficient naval and military force, on an expedition 
against New London. Arnold passed from Long Island, and 
on the forenoon of the 6th of September landed his troops 
on both sides of the harbour ; those on the New London side 
being under his own immediate orders, and those on the 
Groton side under Lieutenant Colonel Eyre. 

As the works at New London were very imperfect, no 
vigorous resistance was there made, and the place was taken 
possession of with litde loss. But Fort Griswold, on the 
Groton side, was in a more finished state, and the small gar- 



How was Washington relieved from 

his distress ? 
What did he resolve to do ? 
How was Clinton deceived ? 
What was the consequence ? 

25 



How did Clinton endeavour to bring 

Washington back f 
Describe Arnold's operations in New 

London. 



294 



CAPTURE OF VORT GRISWOLD. 



rison made a most spirited resistance. It was finally carried 
at the point of the bayonet; when, though opposition had 
ceased, a most cruel and murderous carnage ensued. A 
British officer inquired who commanded the fort. Colonel 
Ledyard answered, ' I did, but you do now,' at the same time 
surrendering his sword. The officer seized it and instantly 
plunged it in the bosom of the brave patriot. His troops 
were not backward in following this atrocious example. Of 
the 160 men composing the garrison, but forty were spared. 
The loss of the British was considerable. The town of New 
London and a large amount of valuable property were then 
destroyed. After this characteristic proceeding, the traitor 
Arnold returned with his troops to New York. 

This predatory excursion had no effect in diverting Ge- 
neral Washington from his purpose, or in retarding his pro- 
gress southward. He marched on without molestation and 
reached Williamsburgh on the 14th of September, and im- 
mediately on his arrival with General Knox, Count Rocham- 
beau and other officers visited the Count de Grasse on board 
his flag ship, the Ville do Paris, and settled with him the plan 
of their future operations. 

In pursuance of this arrangement, the combined forces, to 
the amount of 12,000 men, assembled at Williamsburgh, on 
the 25th of September ; and on the 30th of the same month 
marched forward to invest Yorktown, whilst the French fleet, 
moving to the mouth of York river, cut ofl" Lord Cornwallis 
from an)' communication with a friendly force by water. 

His lordsliip's garrison amounted to 7,000 men, and the 
place was strongly fortified. On tlie right it was secured by 
a marshy ravine, extending to such a distance along the front 
of the defenees as to leave them accessible only to the extent 
of about 1,.500 yards. This space was defended by strong 
lines, beyond which, on the extreme left, were advanced two 
redoubts, which enfiladed their approach to Gloucester Point, 
on the other side of York river, the channel of whi(!h is here 
narrowed to the breadth of a mile, which post was also s\iffi- 
ciently garrisoned, and strongly fortified. Thus secured in 
his position, Lord Cornwallis beheld the approach of the 
enemy with firmness, especially as he had received de- 
spatches from Sir Henry Clinton, announcing his intention 



What took ))lnro nt nroton ' 
AVhitlicr did Arnold return ? 
Did Washington return ■' 
Give an account of his proceedings. 



Mow did the allied forces prepare to 

invest Yorktown ' 
How was it fortified and garrisoned ? 
What relief did Cornwallis expect ? 



SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. 



295 




La Fuytlte storming Uie Redoubt at Vorlitow ii. 

of sending 5,000 men in a fleet of 23 ships of the line, to 
his relief. 

The allied forces on their arrival from Williamsburgh im- 
mediately commenced the investure both of Yorktovvn and 
Gloucester Point; and on the 10th of October, they opened 
their batteries with such effect, that their shells, flying over 
the town, reached the shipping in the harbour, and set fire to 
the Charon frigate, and to a transport. On that day, too, 
Lord Cornwallis received a communication from Sir Henry 
Clinton, conveying to him the unwelcome intelligence that 
he doubted whether it would be in his power to send him the 
aid which he had promised. 

On the following morning the allied array commenced their 
second parallel, and finding themselves in this advanced posi- 
tion, severely annoyed by the two redoubts which have been 
mentioned above, they resolved to storm them. In order to 
render available the spirit of emulation which existed be- 
tween the troops of the allied nations, and to avoid any causes 
of jealousy to either, the attack of the one was committed to 
the French, and that of th§ other to the Americans, The 
latter were commanded by the Marquis de la Fayette, and the 
former by the Baron Viominel. 

On the evening of the 14th, as soon as it was dark, the 
parties marched to the assault with unloaded arms. The 
redoubt which the Americans attacked was defended by a 
major, some inferior officers, and 45 privates. The assailants 
advanced with such rapidity, without returning a shot to the 



How wns the siege commenced ? 
What intelUf^ence did Cornwallis re- 
ceive from Clinton ? 



What was done on the morning of 

October 11th > 
What were the allies obliged to 

storm i" 



296 



DISTRESS OF THK GARRISON. 



heavy fire with which they were received, that in a few 
minutes they were in possession of the work, having had 
eight men killed and 28 wounded in the attack. Eight British 
privates were killed, the major, some other oflicers, and 17 
privates were made prisoners, and the rest escaped. Although 
the Americans were highly exasperated by the recent mas- 
sacre of their countrymen in Fort Griswold by Arnold's 
detachment, yet not a man of the British was injured after 
resistance had ceased. Retaliation had been talked of, but 
w^as not exercised. 

The French party advanced with equal courage and ra- 
pidity, and were successful ; but as the fortification which 
they attacked was occupied by a greater force, the defence 
was more vigorous, and the loss of the assailants more severe. 
There were 120 men in the redoubt, of whom 18 were killed 
and 42 taken prisoners ; the rest made their escape. The 
French lost nearly 100 men killed or wounded. During the 
night these two redoubts were included in the second pa- 
rallel ; and in the course of the next day, some howitzers 
were placed on them, which in the afternoon opened on the 
besieged. 

On the 16th of October, a sally was made from the gar- 
rison, but with indifierent success ; and Lord Cornwallis was 
now convinced that he could only avoid surrender by efl'ect- 
ing his escape by Gloucester Point. Seeing himself, therefore, 
reduced to the necessity of trying this desperate expedient, 
he prepared as many boats as he could procure, and on the 
night of the 16lh of October attempted to convey his army 
over York river to the opposite promontory. But the ele- 
ments were adverse to his operations. The first division of 
liis troops was disembarked in safety ; but when the second 
was on its passage, a storm of wind and rain arose, and drove 
it down the river. 

Though this second embarkation worked its way back to 
Yorktovvn on the morning of the 17lh, Lord Cornwallis was 
convinced, however unwillingly, that protracted resistance 
Avas vain. No aid appeared from New York — his works 
were ruined — the fire from the besiegers' batteries swept the 
town ; and sickness had diminished the effective force of llie 



Describe tlie taking of the first re- 
doubt. 

How dill the Americans show their 
clemency ? 

Describe tlie taking of the second re- 
doubt. 



What took place on ths 16th of Oc- 
tober ? 

What in the succcedmg night ? 

On the 17tli ' 

What was now tlie situation of Lord 
Cornwallis ? 



SURRENDER OV YORKTOWN. 



297 




Surrender of Cornwallis. 



garrison. In these circumstances, nothing remained for him 
but to negotiate terms of capitulation. 

He accordingly sent a flag of truce, and having agreed to 
give up his troops as prisoners of war to congress, and the 
naval force to France, he on the 19th of October, marched 
out of his lines with folded colours ; and proceeding to a 
field at a short distance from the town, he surrendered to Ge- 
neral Lincoln, with the same formalities which had been pre- 
scribed to that officer at Charleston, eighteen months before.^ 

Another coincidence was remarked on this occasion. The 
capitulation under which Lord Cornwallis surrendered was 
drawn up by Lieutenant Colonel Laurens, whose father had 
filled the office of president of congress, and having been 
taken prisoner when on his voyage to Holland, in quality of 
ambassador from the United States to the Dutch Republic, 
had been consigned, under a charge of high treason, to a ri- 
gorous custody in the tower of London, of which fortress his 
lordship was constable. 

Had Lord Cornwallis been able to hold out five days longer 
than he did, he might possibly have been relieved; for on the 
24th of October a British fleet, conveying an army of 7,000 
men, arrived oflf the Chesapeake; but finding that his lord- 
ship had already surrendered, this^rmament returned to New 
York and Sandy Hook. 

It was with reason that congress passed a vote of thanks 
to the captors of Yorktown, and that they went in procession 
on the 24th of October, to celebrate the triumph of their arms, 
by expressing, in the solemnities of a religious service, their 



What was he compelled to do ? 
What were the terms of the surren- 
der? 



What coincidence was remarked ? 
What is said of Cornwallis ? 
Of congress ? 



298 EFFECTS OF CORNWALLls's SURRENDER. 

gratitude to Almighty God for this signal success. The sor- 
render of Lord Cornwallis was the virtual termination of the 
war. 

From this time forward, to the signature of the treaty of 
peace, the British were cooped up in New York, Charleston, 
and Savannah. From these posts they now and then, indeed, 
made excursions for the purpose of foraging and plunder; 
but being utterly unable to appear in force in the interior of 
the country, they found themselves incompetent to carry on 
any operations calculated to promote the main object of the 
war — the subjugation of the United States. Perseverance, 
however, still seemed a virtue to the British cabinet. Imme- 
diately after the arrival of intelligence of the capture by the 
Americans of a second British army, George III declared, in 
a speech to parliament, ' that he should not answer the trust 
committed to the sovereign of a free people, if he consented 
to sacrifice, either to his own desire of peace, or to their tem- 
porary ease and relief, those essential rights and permanent 
interests, upon the maintenance and preservation of which 
the future strength and security of the country must for ever 
depend.' 

When called upon in the house of commons for an expla- 
nation of this vague and assuming language. Lord North 
avowed that it was the intention of ministers to carry on in 
North America ' a war of posts ;' and such was, at that mo- 
ment, the state of the house, that, in despite of the eloquenfce 
of Mr. Fox, who laboured to demonstrate the absurdity of 
this new plan, a majority of 218 to 129 concurred in an ad- 
dress, which was an echo of the king's speech. 

But the loud murmurs of the people, groaning beneath the 
weight of taxation, and indignant under a sense of national 
misrule, at length penetrated the walls of the senate-house. 
Early in the year 1782, motion after motion was made in the 
house of commons, expressive of the general wish for the 
termination of hostilities with the United States. The minis- 
ter held out with obstinacy though, on each renewal of the 
debate, he saw his majori^ diminish ; till at length, on the 
27th of February, on a motion of General Conway, expressly 
directed against the further prosecution of offensive war on 
the continent of North America, he was left in a minority of 
nineteen. 



Of the surrender of Cornwallis .' I What was derlarcd by George III > 
How were the British situated after What was done in parliament P 
the surrender of Cornwallis ? | WhicJi party at length prevailed ? 



RETIREMENT OF LORD NORTH. 



299 



This victory was followed up by an address from the house 
to his majesty, in favour of peace. To this address so equivo- 
cal an answer was returned by the crown, that the friends of 
pacification deemed it necessary to speak in still plainer terms ; 
and, on the 4th of March, the house of commons declared, 
that v/hosoever should advise his majesty to any furtlier pro- 
secution of ofiensive war against the colonies of North Ame- 
rica, should be considered as a public enemy. 

This was the death blow of Lord North's administration. 
His lordship retired from office early in the month of March, 
and was succeeded by the Marquis of Rockingham, the 
efforts of whose ministry were as much and as cordially di- 
rected to peace as those of Lord Shelburne's, On the death 
of the marquis, which took place soon after he had assumed 
the reins of government, the Earl of Shelburne was called on 
to preside over his majesty's councils, which, under his aus- 
pices, were directed to the great object of pacification. 

To this all the parlies interested were well inclined. The 
English nation was weary of a civil war in which it had ex- 
perienced so many discomfitures. The king of France, who 
had reluctantly consented to aid the infant republic of North 
America, was mortified by the destruction of the fleet of De 
Grasse, in Uie West Lidies, whither he had sailed after the 
fall of Yorktown, and been defeated by Rodney. The Spa- 
niards were disheartened by the failure of their efforts to 
repossess themselves of Gibraltar ; and the Dutch were im- 
patient under the suspension of their commerce. 

Such being the feelings of the belligerents, the negotiations 
for a treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United 
States were opened at Paris, by Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr. 
Oswald, on the part of the former power, and by John Adams, 
Doctor Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, on behalf 
of the latter. 

After a tedious and intricate negotiation, in which the firm- 
ness, judgment, and penetration of the American commission- 
ers were fully exercised, preliminary articles of peace were 
signed on the 30th of November, 1782 ; and news of the 



What kind of address followed the 

victory of the whigs P 
What did the house of commons de- 

■clare P 
When did Lord North retire ? 
What was the object of the Marquis 

of Rockingham ? 
Of the Earl of Shelburne ? 



What was the disposition of the Eng- 
lish ? 

The king of France ? 

The Spaniards ? 

Who were appointed commissioners 
to make a treaty ? 

When were the preliminary articles 
signed ? 



800 



TREATY OF PEACE. 



conclusion of a general peace reached the United States early 
next April. 

By this provisional treaty the independence of the thirteen 
United States was unreservedly acknowledged by his Britan- 
nic majesty, who, moreover, conceded to them an unlimited 
right of fishing on the banks of Newfoundland, and the river 
St. Lawrence, and all other places where they had been ac- 
customed to fish. All that the British plenipotentaries could 
obtain for the American loyalists was, a provision that con- 
gress should earnestly recommend to the legislatures of their 
respective states the most lenient consideration of their case, 
and a restitution of their confiscated property. 

The independence of the United States was acknowledged, 
and peace with Great Britain had been concluded ; but the 
dangers of America were not at an end. She had succeeded 
in repelling foreign aggression, but was threatened with ruia 
by internal dissension. 

In the interval between the cessation of hostilities and the 
disbanding of the troops, congress found itself in a trying and 
perilous situation. The army was in a state of high dissatis- 
faction and irritation. In October, 1780, a season of danger 
and alarm, congress promised half pay to the officers on the 
conclusion of peace. The resolution to this efi'ect not having 
been ratified by the requisite number of states, was in danger 
of remaining a dead letter. In the month of December, 1782, 
soon after going into winter quarters, the officers had present- 
ed a memorial and petition to congress, and deputed a com- 
mittee of their number to call its attention to the subject. 
Their request was, that all arrears due to them might be paid, 
and that, instead of granting them half pay for life, congress 
wouhl allow them five years of full pay when the army should 
be disbanded. 

'i'hc unwarrantable delay of congress in granting this very 
reasonable request of those who had shed their blood, and 
spent their fortunes and the best portion of their lives in de- 
fending tlie country, excited a serious commotion in that part 
of the army which was stationed at Newburg. In March, 
1783, an ably written address, appealing strongly to their in- 
dignant feelings, and recommending an appeal to the fears of 
congress, was privately distributed among the officers; and at 



What were the terms of the treaty ? 
What was done for tlie tories ? 
What source of ditriculty remained ? 
What had been done in October, 
1780 ? 



What was done in December, 1782 ? 
What was the reqncst of the officers ? 
What was the consequence of con- 
gress delaying to grant it ? 
What was done in March, 1783 ? 



DISCOTITENT OF THE ARMT. 



301 



the same time a meeting of the officers was proposed, for the 
purpose of considering the means of obtaining redress. The 
sensation caused by the injustice of congress was increased 
to an alarming degree by tiiis eloquent address, and it is dif- 
ficult to say what might have been the result of the proposed 
meeting, had not the commaader in chief fortunately been on 
the spot. 

Washington clearly saw the danger, and prohibited the 
meeting ; but deeming it safer to direct and weaken the cur- 
rent, than immediately to oppose it, he appointed a similar 
meeting on a subsequent day. General Gates, as the senior 
officer of tank, presided. General Washington, who had been 
diligent in preparing the minds of the officers for the occasion, 
addressed the assembly, strongly combated the address, and, 
by his sound reasoning and high intluential character, suc- 
ceeded in dissipating the storm. 

These proceedings of the officers induced congress to pay 
some regard to its promises, and to grant their request for a 
commutation of half pay for a sum equal to five years' full pay. 
The disbanding of the army, which was still in a state of irri- 
tation, from having large arrears of pay, and many of them not 
money enough to supply their most pressing wants, was a 
dangerous experiment. Other armies disbanded under such 
circumstances had often formed themselves into companies of 
free-booters, and ravaged the country they had previously de- 
fended. But congress understood the true character of their 
patriot army, and boldly ran the risk of dismissing it unpaid. 
No convulsion followed. The soldiers quietly returned to 
their homes, and resumed the arts of peace, content with the 
humblest lot in the land, which they had just freed from foreign 
enemies, and placed among the most highly favoured nations 
of the earth. Previous to this event, however, on the 19th of 
April, 1783, the day which completed the eighth year of the 
war, the cessation of hostilities with Great Britain was, by 
order of General Washington, proclaimed in the American 
camp. 

The American forces still remained at their posts, awaiting 
the entire removal of the enemy's troops from the country. 
On the 25th of November, the British troops evacuated New 



What is said of Washington ? 

What was the tenor of his address to 
the officers ? 

What was done by congress ? 

Was the army disbanded without dis- 
turbance ? 



When was the cessation of hostilities 

proclaimed i" 
When was New York evacuated by 

the British > 



30 



302 



RETIRE-MENT OF WASHINGTON. 



York, and an American detachment, under General Knox, took 
possession of the town. General Washington and governor 
Clinton, accompanied by a number of civil and military officers 
and respectable citizens, soon afterwards entered the city; and 
the Americans, after a struggle which had lasted eight years, 
thus gained full and undisputed possession of the entire terri- 
tory of the United States. 

General Washington's military career was now about to 
close ; and on the 4lh of December, 1783, he met the princi- 
pal officers of the army at Francis' tavern, in New York. 
The officers assembled at noon, and their revered and beloved 
commander soon entered the room. His emotions were too 
strong to be concealed ; tilling a glass, and addressing the of- 
ficers, he said, ' W^ilh a heart full of love and gratitude, I now 
take leave of you, and devoutly wish that your latter days 
may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have 
been honourable.' Having drank, he added, ' I cannot come 
to take each of you by the hand, but shall be obliged to you 
if each of you will come and take me by the hand.' In the 
midst of profound silence, and with the liveliest sensibility 
and tenderness, each of the officers took him by the hand; 
and at the close of the affecting ceremony, they all accom- 
panied him to Whitehall, where a barge was in readiness to 
carry him across the river. Having embarked. General 
Washington turned round to his late companions in arms, 
took off his hat, respectfully bowed to them, and bade them 
a silent farewell. They relurned the compliment, and went 
back in mute procession to the place where they had assem- 
bled. 

Congress was then sitting at Annapolis, in Maryland, and 
thither General Wasliinglon proceeded, for the purpose of re- 
signing that power which he had so successfully exercised. 
He remained a few days in Pliiladelphia, in order to settle his 
accounts with the treasury ; and on the 19th of December, 
arrived at Annapolis. 

At noon on the 23d, in presence of a numerous company 
of spectators, he resigned his commission into the hands of 
congress, and afterwards retired to his mansion at Mount 
Vernon. 

'In the course of the revolntion,' says a foreign writer, *a 
number of men of no mean abilities arose, both in the military 



Describe the scene of the 4th of De- 
cember, 1783. 

For what purpose did Washington 
proceed to Annapolis ? 



Whither did he retire after his resig- 
nation ? 



CHARACTER OF WASHINGTOiV. 



303 



and civil departments ; but General Washington appears with 
pre-eminent lustre among them all ; not by the brilliancy of his 
genius, but by the soundness of his understanding, and the 
moral dignity of his character. His courage was unquestion- 
able, but it was governed by discretion. He was not remark- 
able for quickness of perception or apprehension ; but, when 
he had time to deliberate, he was judicious in his decision. 
His glory, however, lies in the moral excellence of his cha- 
racter, his spotless integrity, disinterested patriotism, general 
humanity, invincible fortitude, and inflexible perseverance. 
In trying times, he occupied the most difficult situation in 
which a man can be placed. At the head of a turbulent sol- 
diery, unaccustomed to military subordination, he was exposed 
on the one side to the clamours and calumnies of an ignorant 
and fluctuating populace, who were forward to condemn the 
Avisdom which they had not the capacity to comprehend, and 
to reprobate plans which did not suit their little interests and 
feeble judgments. On the other side he was fettered by the 
presumption of rulers, who were forward to decide on what 
they did not understand, to enjoin measures~the consequences 
of which they did not foresee, and to dictate on subjects of 
which they had but a very imperfect knowledge. He was 
unmoved by the clamours of the former; and he bore, with 
invincible patience, the aberrations of the latter ; he remon- 
strated and reasoned with them, and often succeeded in setting 
them right. With a Steady hand he steered the vessel amidst 
the terrors of the storm, and through fearful breakers brought 
it safe into port. America owes him much, and seems not in- 
sensible of the obligation. She has done honour to him and 
to herself, by calling her capital by his name ; but it would be 
still far more honourable and advantageous to her, were all her 
people to imitate his virtues, and the character of every Ame- 
rican to reflect the moral image of General Washington.' 

The American revolutionary war, says a British historian, 
might have been prevented by the timely concession of free- 
dom from internal taxation, as imposed by the British parlia- 
ment, and by an abstinence, on the part of the crown, from a 
violation of this important particular of chartered rights. The 
confidential letters of Doctor Franklin evince that it was with 
extreme reluctance the American patriots adopted the measure 
of severing the colonies from the mother country. But when 



What character is ascribed to Wash- 
ington by a foreign writer ? 

How is it supposed that the revolu- 
tion might have been prevented ? 



What proves the reluctance of the 
Americans to commence hostili- 
ties ? 



304 



CHARACTER OF THE REV.OLTJTIONARY WAR, 



they had taken this decisive step, by the declaration of inde- 
pendence, they firmly resolved to abide by the consequences 
of their own act; and with the single exception of Georgia, 
never, even in the most distressful conlingences of the war, 
did any public body of the provinces, show any disposition 
to renew their allegiance to the king of Great Britain. Still, 
it has been doubted, considering the conduct of the inhabitants 
of the Jerseys, when Washington was retreating before Ge- 
neral Howe, whether, had the Britisii commanders restrained 
their troops, with the strictness of discipline, and exercised 
toward the American people the conciliatory spirit evinced iii 
Canada by Sir Guy Carleton, tlie fervour of resistance migiit 
not have been considerably abated. 

But for their own discomfiture and our good, the British 
generally conducted the war witli cruelty and rancour. Our 
patriotic citizens were treated by their soldiery not as ene- 
mies entitled to the courtesies of war, but as rebels whose 
lives and property lay at the mercy of the victors. Hence 
devastation marked the track of the invading forces, while the 
inhabitants found their truest safety in resistance, and their 
best shelter in the republican camp. Nor will he who reads 
the minute details of the eventful contest be surprised, that 
the British ministry persevered in the war when success might 
have appeared to be hopeless. It is now well known, as we 
have already had occasion to remark, that George HI revolted 
from the idea of concession to his disobedient subjects, and 
was determined to put all to the hazard, ratlier than acknow- 
ledge their independence. Lord North, at an early period of 
the war, had misgivings as to its ultimate success, but lie 
had not firmness enough to give his sovereign unwelcome 
advice; whilst Lord George Germain and the other ministers 
fully sympathised with the royal feelings, and entered heartily 
into the views of their master. 

They were apprised, from time to time, of the destitute 
condition of the American army, but living as they were, 
with the selfishness and venality of courts and political par- 
ties, they could not conceive the idea of men sacrificing health, 
property, and life, for their country's good. When Wash- 
ington suffered reverses in the field, such men imagined that 
the affairs of the congress were desperate, and flattered tlicm- 



What was their disposition after the 
declaration of iiHlepcndence ? 

How did the liritisii conduct the 
war f 

What was tlic effect of their cruelty j" 



What was the disposition of George 

III? 
Of his ministers ? 
What was tlic opinion of the British 

concerning the Aidcricans ? 



ERRORS OF THE LOYALISTS. 305 

selves that the great body of the colonists, wearied and dis- 
heartened by successive defeats, would be glad to accept the 
royal mercy, and return to their allegiance. 

In these notions they were confirmed by the loyalists, who, 
giving utterance to their wishes rather than stating the truth, 
afforded the most incorrect representations of the feelings and 
temper of their countrymen. Some of these going over to 
England, were received with favour in high circles, and by 
their insinuations kept up to the last the delusion of the go- 
vernment. These individuals at length fell tiie victims of their 
own error. Traitors to their country, they lost their property 
by acts of confiscation, and while they lived on the bonntyof 
the British crown, they had the mortification to see the coun- 
try which they had deserted, rise to an exalted rank among 
the nations of the earth. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

FORMATION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 

It was natural that the severe struggle of the Revolution 
should be followed by a season of comparative exhaustion and 
weakness. This eftect was felt by the people of the United 
States for a considerable period after peace as well as inde- 
pendence had been secured. The enthusiasm of a popular 
contest terminating in victory, began to subside, and the 
sacrifices of the Revolution soon became known and felt. 
The claims of those who had toiled, fought and suffered in 
the arduous conflict, were strongly urged, and the govern- 
ment had neither resources nor power to satisfy them. 

The general government had no separate and exclusive 
fund ; but was under the necessity of making requisitions on 
the state governments for all money required for national 
purposes. When called upon for the funds to pay the ar- 
rears due to the army, and the interest on the public debt, the 
state legislatures were neither willing, nor indeed able to 
meet the demand. The wealth of the country had been ex- 



Who confirmed them in this error ? 
What was the consequence to the 

loyalists ? 
What was the condition of the United 



26* 



States at tfie close of the revolu- 
tionary war ? 

What was the financial condition of 
the general government ? 

Of the state governments ? 



306 



INSURRECTIONS. 



hausted by the war; and the proper metliod of drawing on its 
future resources, so well understood and so extensively em- 
ployed at present, had not been yet discovered and applied 
by the general or the state governments. 

Taxes could not be collected, because there was no money 
to represent the value of the little personal property which 
had not been, and the land which could not be, destroyed; 
and commerce, though preparing to burst from its thraldom, 
had not yet had time to restore to the annual produce of the 
country its exchangeable value. The states owed each a 
heavy debt for local services rendered during the Revolution, 
for which it was bound to provide, and each had its own do- 
mestic government to support. 

' Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that each 
state was anxious to retain for its own benefit, the small but 
rising revenue derived from foreign commerce ; and that the 
custom-houses in each commercial city were considered as 
the most valuable sources of income which the states pos- 
sessed. Each state tlierefore made its own regulations, its 
tariff, and tonnage duties, and as a natural consequence, the 
different states clashed with each other ; one foreign nation 
became more favoured than another under the same circum- 
stances ; and one state pursued a system injurious to the 
interests of others. 

Hence the confidence of foreign countries was destroyed ; 
and they could not enter into treaties of commerce, with the 
general government, since they were not likely to be carried 
into effect. A general decay of trade, the rise of imported 
merchandise, the fall of produce, and an uncommon decrease 
in the value of lands ensued. 

In Massachusetts where several laws were passed for the 
collection of taxes and debts, the discontent was so great that 
it led to open rebellion against the state government. In 
August, 1784, a large body of insurgents assembled and took 
possession of the court house, in order to prevent the deci- 
sion of causes and the consequent issue of executions. A 
similar mob compelled the court at Worcester to adjourn in 
September. The same spirit of disaffection was manifested 
in New Hampshire, and the legislature itself was menaced 



Whnt wns the condition of com- 
merce ? 

AVIiat regulations of the states embar- 
rassed commerce ? 

What prevented foreign treaties of 
commerce ? 



What was the corisequence ? 
What took place in Massachusetts ? 
How did the insurgents proceed ? 
What took place in New Hampshire .' 



SHAYS S REBELLION. 



307 



by an assemblage of tlie populace. This insurrection, how- 
ever, was speedily quelled by the decisive measures of the 
government. 

In Massachusetts the spirit of insurrection held out longer. 
The leader of the malcontents, Daniel Siiays, raised a body 
of 300 men, proceeded to Springfield, where the supreme 
court was sitting, and surrounding the court house, com- 
pelled the judges to adjourn. After this success his adhe- 
rents increased so considerably, that it became necessary to 
order out an army of 4,000 men to put a stop to tlieir pro- 
ceedings. This force was placed under the direction of Ge- 
neral Lincoln, who, having first afforded sufficient protection 
to the court at Worcester to enable the judges to resume 
their functions, marched to Springfield where the insurgents 
were on the point of seizing the state arsenal. A single well 
directed fire of artillery served to disperse the rebels and re- 
store public order. The chief insurgents were afterwards 
tried, and fourteen of them sentenced to death. But all were 
ultimately pardoned. 

The time at length came when the public mind gave 
tokens of being prepared for a change in the constitution of 
the general government — an occurrence the necessity of 
which had been long foreseen by Washington, Adams, and 
other distinguished patriots of that period. The evils result- 
ing from the weakness and inefficiency of the old confedera- 
tion had become so intolerable that the voice of the nation 
cried out for relief. 

The first decisive measures proceeded from the merchants, 
who came forward simultaneously in all parts of the country, 
with representations of the utter prostration of the mercantile 
interests, and petitions for a speedy and efficient remedy. It 
was shown, that the advantages of this most important source 
of national prosperity, were flowing into the hands of 
foreigners, and that the native merchants were suffering for 
the want of a just protection, and a uniform system of trade. 
The wise and reflecting were convinced that some decided 
efforts were necessary to strengthen the general government, 
or that a dissolution of the union, and perhaps a devastating 
anarchy, would be inevitable. 



Who led the rebellion in Massachu- 
setts ? 

What success had he ? 

What force was sent against the in- 
surgents ? 

How did General Lincoln proceed ? 



What was the result ? 
What change in the government be- 
came necessary ? 
Who had foreseen its necessity ? 
What was done by the merchants ? 



308 



CONVENTION AT ALEXANDRIA. 



The first step towards the formation of a new constitution, 
was rather accidental than premeditated. Certain citizens of 
Virginia and Maryland had formed a scheme for promoting 
the navigation of the Potomac river and Chesapeake bay, and 
commissioners were appointed by those two states to meet at 
Alexandria, in March, 1785, and devise some plan of opera- 
tion. These persons made a visit to Mount Vernon, and, 
while there, it was proposed among theinselves that more 
important objects should be connected with the purpose at 
first in view, and that the state governments should be soli- 
cited to appoint other commissioners with more enlarged 
powers, instructed to form a plan for maintaining a naval 
force in the Chesapeake, and also to fix upon some system 
of duties, upon exports and imports, in which both states 
should agree, and that in the end, congress should be peti- 
tioned to allow these privileges. 

This project was approved by the legislature of Virginia, 
and commissioners were accordingly appointed. The same 
legislature passed a resolution, recommending the design to 
other states, and inviting them to unite, by their commis- 
sioners, in an attempt to establish such a system of com- 
mercial relations as would promote general harmony and 
prosperity. Five states, in addition to Virginia, acceded to 
this proposition, namely, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, and New York. From these states, commis- 
sioners assembled at Annapolis, in September, 1786, but they 
had hardly entered into a discussion of the topics which na- 
turally forced themselves into view, before they discovered 
the powers with which they were entrusted, to be so limited, 
as to tie up their hands from eflecting any purpose that could 
be of essential utility. On this account, as well as from the 
circumstance, that so few states were represented, they 
wisely declined deciding on any important measures in re- 
ference to the particular subjects for which they had come 
together. This convention is memorable, however, as liaving 
been the prelude to the one which followed. 

Before the commissioners adjourned, a report was agreed 
upon, in which the necessity of a revision and reform of the 
articles of the old federal compact was strongly urged, and 
which contained a recommendation to all the state legisla- 



What was the first step taken to- 
wards tlie formation of a new con- 
stitution ? 



What was accomplishcJ by the com- 
missioners at Alexandria? 
By the assembly at Annapolis ? 



THE FEDERAL CONVENTION. 



309 



tures, for the appointment of deputies, to meet at Philadel- 
phia, with more ample powers and instructions. This report 
was h\id I^efore congress, and a resohition was passed by tliat 
body, recommending a convention for the purpose of re- 
vising the articles of confederation, and giving a more sub- 
stantial and efficient form to the constitution of the general 
government. 

In conformity with these recommendations, a convention 
of delegates from the several states met at Philadelphia, in 
May, 1787. Of this body of eminent statesmen, George 
Washington was unanimously elected president. He had 
been early solicited to add the weight of his influence to the 
convention by Mr. Madison, one of its strongest advocates, 
but had with characteristic modesty declined. No denial, 
however, would be taken either by the legislature of Vir- 
ginia, who elected him a delegate, or by the august body 
itself, who chose that the chief of the revolution should pre- 
side over its deliberations, while forming the constitution of 
the country which he had saved from oppression and anarchy. 

The convention w^as composed of some of the most illus- 
trious men, whose names adorn our national history. Be- 
sides Washington himself, there were Adams, Jefferson, Ma- 
dison, Patrick Henry, Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, Randolph, 
the Lees, and a host of others. The discussion and arrange- 
ment of the several articles, was carried on with closed doors, 
and lasted four months. At length, on the 17th of September, 
the proposed constitution was made public. It was presented 
to congress, and by that body submitted to the several states 
for acceptance. 

This constitution is essentially different from the old 
articles of confederation. The most important point of dif- 
ference, consists in giving to the general government the con- 
troul of the revenue, and the regulation of commerce ; and 
thus enabling the congress to raise money directly from the 
people, instead of resorting to the old system of requisitions 
on the state governments, which had been found totally in- 
efficient. 

By the constitution of the United States, the government 
is made to consist of three departments, the legislative, ex- 



Whore did tlicy recommend a con- 
vention to be held ? 

What was done by congress ? 

"When did the convention assemble ? 

Who was chosen president ? 

Who was one of its strongest advo- 
cates ? 



Who %vere distinguished members of 

the convention ? 
Wlien was the proposed constitution 

made public ? 
What were its principal features ? 



310 



THE FEDERAL CONSTlTUTmN. 



ecutive and judicial. The legislative or law-making depart- 
ment, consists of a senate and house of representatives, col- 
lectively styled the congress. The members of the house 
of representatives are chosen by the people, in districts con- 
taining a certain number of inhabitants; and they hold tlie 
office for two years. 

The senators are chosen by the stale legislature, two from 
each state, to hold office for six years, one-third of the senate 
being renewed every two years. Besides assisting in the 
making of laws, this body confirms the appointments of ex- 
ecutive officers made by the president, and ratifies treaties. 

The executive department consists of the president, and 
the officers appointed by him, to execute the laws. The 
president is appointed by electors, who are chosen by the 
people ; or by the representatives, when there is no choice 
by a majority of the electors. He is elected for four years, 
but may be elected again. The command of the army and 
navy, the appointment of all civil, military and naval officers, 
acting by authority of the United States, and the ratification 
of treaties are vested in him, the two latter powers being sub- 
ject, however, to the confirmation or rejection of the senate. 

Another important power of the president is, that of put- 
ting a negative, or veto, on such acts of congress as he may 
disapprove. A majority of two-thirds of both houses is then 
necessary, in order to give the act the authority of a law, 
without the sanction of the president. 

By the constitution, congress is authorised to declare war, 
raise and support armies, maintain a navy, collect revenue, lay 
direct taxes, regulate commerce, coin money, and provide in 
general for the security and welfare of the nation. 

The judicial department of the government consists of a 
supreme court, and such district courts as congress may esta- 
blish. The judges in these courts have jurisdiction of all 
cases arising under the laws of the United Stales, and \nider 
treaties, as well as the cases between individuals of different 
states, and between foreigners and citizens. 

The constitution no sooner appeared, than it was attacked 
with great earnestness by a powerful party. Various objec- 
tions were made to its several provisions, and a discussion 



What are the tliree departments of 
the government ^ 

What constitutes the legislative de- 
partment ? 

Describe the senate. 

The executive department. 



What arc the chief powers of tlie 

president ? 
Of the congress ? 
Describe the judici;«l department. 
What ensued on the publication of 

the proposed constitution ? 



FORMATION OF PARTIEff. 



311 



in the public journals ensued, lively and animated, in propor- 
tion to the importance of the subject. It was indeed a ques- 
tion of life and death to the political existence of the nation ; 
and the parties to which it gave rise, have under different 
names divided the country ever since. 

The chief supporters of the convStitution, Madison, Hamil- 
ton and Jay, had published, while it was under consideration, 
a series of letters, signed the Federalist , a name which was 
subsequently applied to the party who adopted their opinions. 
Their opposers were styled anli-federalists,a designation which 
was afterwards changed to republicans, democrats, and sundry 
other terms ; the party meanwhile preserving its identity, by 
opposing such measures as appeared to them calculated to 
withdraw power from the people, and the individual states, 
for the purpose of lodging it in the hands of the general 
government. 

The constant struggle which has since been maintained 
between these parties, has been much deprecated by those 
who regard the occasional excesses to which it leads, rather 
than the necessity from which it arises. It is essential to the 
existence of free institutions, that public measures should be 
freely discussed and examined on every side. Such discus- 
sions enlighten the people, and prevent the adoption of mea- 
sures dangerous to their liberties ; and if a storm occasionally 
arise, it serves but to clear the political atmosphere, and 
render it more suitable for the hardy sons of liberty to inhale. 
A constant dead calm, is the characteristic of that political 
region only where despotism silences every murmur, and 
disperses every cloud of discontent. 

Notwithstanding the animated opposition which was made 
to it, the federal constitution soon obtained the assent of all 
the states, save two — Rhode Island and North Carolina. 
New York was said to have acceded, chiefly from fear of 
being excluded from the union ; and, in consenting, she had 
demanded a new convention to make amendments in the act. 
Even Virginia thought it necessary to propose alterations. 
She required a declaration of rights, and the limitation that 
the president should be but once re-elected. The discus- 



What were its supporters called ? 
What circumstance gave them this 

name ? 
What were its opponents called ? 
What measure did they oppose ? 
Are the existence of opposite politi- 



cal parties considered ess^tial to 
freedom i" 

What states at once adopted the con- 
stitution ? 

What states declined acceding to it ? 

What is said of New York I 

Of Virginia ? 



312 



WASHINGTON ELECTED PKESIDENT. 



sions concerning these points of difference, occupied the year 
1788, after which llie conslitutiun was generally accepted, 
and the grand point of a federal union achieved. 

The fourth of March, 1789, was the time appointed for the 
commencement of the new government. So wanting, how- 
ever, were many of the states, or their representatives, in 
zeal, that three weeks elapsed before a full meeting of both 
houses could be procured. At length the votes for president 
and vice-president of the United States were opened and 
counted in the senate, when it was found that George Wash- 
ington was unanimously elected president, and John Adams, 
having received the second number of votes, was elected vice- 
president. 

With unfeigned reluctance, occasioned both by the love of 
retirement and tenderness for his reputation, did the illustri- 
ous Washington accept the first office of the nation. The 
sacrifice was demanded of him, as, in the words of Hamilton, 
the success of the great experiment, viz. the working and 
existence of the new government altogetlier depended upon 
t^ie moral force which the name and character of Washington 
would bring to its chief office. 



CHAPTER XXXni. 
Washington's administration. 

The intelligence of his being elected to the office of chief 
magistrate of the United States, was communicated to Gene- 
ral Washington, while on his farm at Mount Vernon, on the 
14th of April, 1789. He accepted this high honour with 
expressions of gratitude for this new proof of the attachment 
and confidence of his country, and with declarations of difli- 
dence in himself. ' I wish,' he said, ' that there may not be 
reasons for regretting the choice ; for, indeed, all I can pro- 
mise, is to accomplish that which can be done by an honest 
zeal.' 



When wt>s it generally arceptcd ? 
What was the time appointed for tlie 

meeting of the first congress under 

the new eonstitntion ? 
What is said of the representatives ? 
Who was found to have been chosen 

president ? 



Who was the first vice-president ? 

Wli;it is said of Washington ? 

What was said by Hamilton .' 

Where was Wasiiington when he re- 
ceived the intelligence of his elec- 
tion ? 

How did he receive it .' 



Washington's reception at trenton. 313 




Washington receiving the intelligence of his election. 



As his presence at the seat of government was immediately 
required, he set out from Mount Vernon on the second day 
after receiving notice of his appointment. 

His journey to New York bore the character of a tri- 
umphal procession. Tlie roads were crowded with multi- 
tudes desiring to see the ' man of the people.' Escorts of 
militia and gentlemen of the highest respectability attended 
him from state to state. Addresses of congratulation were 
presented to him at the several towns through which he 
passed, to which he returned answers marked with his cha- 
racteristic dignity and modesty. 

His reception at Trenton, and the ceremony of inaugura- 
tion, are thus described by Dr. Ramsay : 

' When Washington crossed the Delaware, and landed on 
the Jersey shore, he was saluted with three cheers by the 
inhabitants of the vicinity. When he came to the brow of 
the hill, on his way to Trenton, a triumphal arch was erected 
on the bridge, by the direction of the ladies of the place. 
The crown of the arch was highly ornamented with imperial 
laurels and flowers: and on it was displayed in large charac- 
ters, December 26th, 1776. On the sweep of the arch be- 
neath was this inscription : The defender of the mothers will 
also protect their daughters. On the north side were ranged 
a number of little girls, dressed in white, with garlands of 
flowers on their heads, and baskets of flowers on their arms ; 
in tne second row stood the young ladies, and behind them 
the married ladies of the neighbourhood. The instant he 



When did he set out for New York ? I His reception at Trenton. 
Describe his journey. | 

SJ7 



314 



Washington's inauguration. 



passed the arch, the young girls began to sing the following 
ode : 

" Welcome, mighty chief, once more, 

Welcome to this grateful shore : 

Now no mercenary foe 

Aims again the fatal blow. 

Aims at thee the fatal blow. 

" Virgins fair, and matrons grave, 
These, thy conquering arm did save, 
Build far thee triumphal bowers: 
Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers. 
Strew your hero's way with flowers." 

' As they sung the last lines, they strewed their flowers on 
the road before their beloved deliverer. His situation on this 
occasion, contrasted with what he had felt on the same spot 
in December, 1776, when the affairs of America were at the 
lowest ebb of depression, filled him with sensations that can- 
not be described. He was met by a committee of congress 
in New Jersey, who conducted him to Elizabcthtown Point, 
where he embarked for New York in an elegant barge of 
thirteen oars, manned by thirteen branch pilots. On landing 
in New York, he was conducted with military honours to 
the apartments provided for him. There he received the 
congratulations of great numbers, who pressed round him to 
express their joy on seeing the man who possessed tlie love 
of tlie nation at the head of its government. 

' The 30ih of April was fixed for his taking the oath of 
office, which is in the following words: "I do solemnly 
swear that I will faitlifully execute the office of president of 
the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, 
protect, and defend the constitution of the United Slates." 
This was administered by R. R. Livingston, the clianceilor 
of the state of New York, in the presence of both branches 
of the national legislature, and an immense concourse of citi- 
zens. An awful silence prevailed among the spectators. It 
was a minute of the most sublime political joy. The chan- 
cellor then proclaimed him president of the United States. 
This was answered by the discharge of thirteen guns, and by 
the effusion of shouts from ten thousand grateful and affec- 
tionate hearts. 

* The president, after bowing respectfully to the people, 



\ 



Whither did he proceed from Tren- 
ton ? 

How was he conveyed to New 
York f 



Describe his reception at New York. 
When did lie take the oath of oflBce f 
What was it ? 
Describe the inausfuration. 



WASHINGTON S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 315 

retired to the senate chamber, where he adtlressed both 
houses, with the appellation of " Fellow citizens of the senate 
and house of representatives," in an impressive speech, in 
which, with his usual modesty, he declared his " incapacity 
for the mighty and untried cares before him," and offered his 
fervent supplications "to the Almighty Being, whose provi- 
dential aids can supply every human defect, that his benedic- 
tion would consecrate, to the liberties and happiness of the 
United States, a government instituted by themselves, for 
those essential purposes ; and that he would enable every 
agent, employed in its administration, to execute with success 
the functions allotted to his charge." He also declared " that 
no truth was more thoroughly established, than that there 
exists an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness ; — 
between duty and advantage ; between the genuine maxims 
of an honest and magnanimous people, and the solid rewards 
of public prosperity and felicity ; and that the propitious 
smiles of heaven could never be expected on a nation that 
disregarded the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven 
itself had ordained." 

'After making some personal observations, that in conform- 
ity to the principle he adopted, when made commander in 
chief of the army, to renounce all pecuniary compensation, 
"he declined, as inapplicable to himself, any slr.ire in the 
personal emoluments included in a permanent provision for 
the executive department," and prayed " that the pecuniary 
estimates for the station in which he was placed, should, 
during his continuance therein, be limited to such actual ex- 
penditures as the public good might be thought to require." 
He then took his leave; "but not without resorting, once 
more, in humble supplication to the benign Parent of the 
human race, that since he had been pleased to favour the 
American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect 
tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled 
unanimity, on a form of government, for the security of their 
union, and the advancement of their happiness, so his divine 
blessing might be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, 
the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which 
the success of the government must depend." ' 

No sooner was the federal government thus completed by 
the inauguration of its chief, than congress proceeded at once 
to the consideration of what most pressed upon its attention — 



What was the tenor o£ his inaugural address ? 



316 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST CONGRESS. 



the revenue. But as every thing had hitherto remained un- 
settled, the discussion on this point involved the question of 
foreign policy and preference ; and, leading to a warm debate, 
occasioned a collision between parlies at the very outset of 
their legislative career. 

Mr. Madison proposed a tax upon imported goods and ton- 
nage. This, in principle, was objected to by none ; but as 
the tonnage duty, pressing upon foreign vessels exclusively, 
was intended to act in favour of domestic, and at the expense 
of foreign shipping, it excited opposition. Some urged that 
America had few ships of her own, and needed the use of 
those which this duty might drive away. But Madison 
pointed out, in answer, the necessity of fostering the infant 
navy of the country, as the only defensive force that would 
be required, or available, in a future war.* This argument 
overcame the objections, and the clause establishing duties on 
imports and tonnage was passed. 

A provision being thus made for raising a revenue and an- 
swering the just debts of the states, congress proceeded to 
complf!" tlie machine of government, by the institution of an 
executive ciibinel. Departments were erected, of the treasury, 
of war, and of state — the latter including foreign and domestic 
relations ; and these ministerial departments were filled up 
with able statesmen. Colonel Hamilton, the friend of Wash- 
ington, and he who had chiefly induced him to accept the 
guidance of the new government, was appointed secretary of 
the treasury. General Knox, who had been secretary of war 
under congress, was now re-appointed ; whilst Mr. .lefferson, 
envoy in France, but then on his return to the United Slates, 
Avas named secretary of state. At the head of the judicial 
department was placed Mr. Jay, as chief justice, one of the 
most estimable characters of the time. 

Such were the chief results of the first session of congress, 
as established by the constitution. Immediately after its 
close, Washington undertook a journey through the New 



What was the first object of attention 

in congress ? 
What did Mr. Madison propose ? 
Why was it opposed ? 
What was Madison's reply ? 
What duties were established ? 
What was next instituted ? 



What departments were created P 
What secretaries were appointed .' 
Who was appointed chief justice of 

the supreme court of the United 

States > 
Whither did Washington proceed 

after congress rose .' 



• It is pleasant to remember that the chief triumphs of the American navy 
were accomplished during the presidency of that great statesman, who had 
been one of its earliest friends and supporters. • 



DEBTS OF THE STATES. 



317 



England states, in every quarter of which he was welcomed 
with the most affectionate enthusiasm. Nor could this tribute 
be paid to his person exchisively, without in some degree 
producing a share of such feeling for his office. North Ca- 
rolina, in this recess, gave up her opposition ; and her legis- 
lature now by a vote declared its adhesion to the union. 

The next session of congress commenced in January, 1790. 
Its first important business was to act upon the famous report 
of Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of the treasury, in which he 
proposed a plan for funding the public debt by raising a loan 
equal to the whole amount of the debt. To this the opposi- 
tion, or anti-federal party, objected ; arguing that it was ex- 
pedient to pay foreigners the entire of their demand ; but as 
the American holder of paper money had, for the most part, 
received it at a most depreciated value, he should be paid 
only the price at which he bought it. Mr. Jackson opposed 
the ministerial measure on the broad principle of aversion to 
the system of public debt altogether. There was more reason 
for this objection, as Hamilton proposed to render a portion 
of the public debt irredeemable except with the holder's 
consent. 

Notwithstanding the opposition to the secretary's measure, 
it was agreed to. But a very important part of the arrange- 
ment remained behind. This referred to the debts incurred 
separately by each state for carrying on the war. These 
Hamilton proposed that congress should pay, and throw into 
the common fund. The opposition maintained that each 
state should account for, and settle its own debt. And this 
they urged, on the principle that if the federal government 
thus made the paying of interest and raising of funds to centre 
in itself, it would wield a power inconsistent with the rights 
and independence of the separate states. 

This was a question upon which the federalists and anti- 
federalists, or republicans, as they now began to be called, 
were brought into direct collision, and the dispute was yet 
warmer than any hitherto known. The federalists exclaimed, 
that no government could exist, which was considered un- 
worthy of this confidence. The republicans urged, that these 



How was he received ? 
What state now accepted the consti- 
tution ? 
When did congress again assemble ? 
What was its first important business ? 
Who opposed Hamilton's measure ? 
On what ground ? 



Was the measure agreed to ? 
What part of the arrangement re- 
mained unsettled ? 
What was Hamilton's proposition ? 
Who opposed it ? 
What ensued ? 



27* 



318 



DEBTS OF THE STATES. 



plans raised up a host of fundholders and public creditors 
bound in obligation to the government, which would hence- 
forth be supported and carried on by a system »f corruption. 

The resolution of the treasury secretary was at first carried 
by a few voices ; but on the deputies from North Carolina, 
lately admitted into the union, soon after taking their seats in 
congress, the question was re-committed, and the original 
resolution rejected by the same majority which had but just 
accepted it. ' So higii,' says Mr. Jefferson, ' were tlie feuds 
excited by this subject, that on its rejection, business was 
suspended. Congress met and adjourned from day to day, 
without doing any thing, the parties being too much out of 
temper to do business together.' 

In consequence of having been the principal theatre of the 
■war, the northern states were most in debt ; and if they were 
to be paid by tiie union in general, it would be at the expense 
of the southern states, 'i'he latter, therefore, opposed the 
government plan most violently. Indeed, this was the secret 
of the long secession of North Carolina from the federal go- 
vernment. Hamilton, however, represented to the leading 
members on the opposite side, that the consequence of hold- 
ing out and prolonging this difference might prove a dissolution 
of the union. He prayed some of them, in consequence, to 
withdraw their negative votes ; and though this measure 
pressed severely on the southern states, some otlier measures 
should be passed which would compensate them. 

It had been previously proposed to fix the seat of govern- 
ment either at Philadelphia or at Georgetown on the Potomac ; 
and it was thought, that by giving it to Philadelphia for ten 
years, and to Georgetown permanently afterwards, the fer- 
ment which might be excited by the other measures, would 
be calmed. Two of the Potomac menjbers, Wiiile and Lee, 
agreed to change their vote ; and Hamilton undertook to carry 
the other point. Thus did the ability of the secretary carry 
this important measure, which not only preserved the public 
credit of the country entire, but gave strength and efficiency 
to the federal government at a period when weakness would 
have been highly and permanently injurious, 

Tiie raising of supi>lies to meet the interest of tliis newly 
funded debt, was a task that still remained for the minister, 



Was the resolution carried ? 
What occasioned its subsequent re- 
ject ion ? 
VVhiU was then the state of afTairs ? 
What btates were most in debt ? 



Why did the southern states oppose 

Hamilton's measure ? 
How dill he succeed in carr3-ing his 

point .' 
What was the effect of his success ? 



INDIAN HOSTILITIES. 



319 



and which was deferred till the following session of congress. 
This he proposed to accomplish by duties on wine, tea, and 
other luxuries ; but chiefly by an excise upon spirits distilled 
within the country. This last tax was violently opposed, but 
the opponents of the measure were unable to show any more 
feasible means of raising the necessary revenue ; and the 
excise bill passed. 

Hamilton's next measure, for the completion of his com- 
mercial and monied system, was the establishment of a 
national bank. This was pronounced by the republican 
party to be aristocratical and unconstitutional. Jefferson 
opposed it with great earnestness, and both he and Hamilton 
having, after the passage of the bill, submitted their opinions 
to the consideration of the president, he after some delibera- 
tion decided in favour of his treasury minister ; and the 
establishment of a national bank was in consequence decided. 

The effect of this measure was soon felt in the revival 
of public credit and commercial prosperity. Public paper 
which had before been at a very great discount, rapidly rose 
to par, and property which had previously suffered great 
depreciation, now rapidly increased in value. Every depart- 
ment of industry was invigorated and enlivened by the esta- 
blishment of a convenient and uniform currency. 

While the financial system of the United States was thus 
acquiring permanence and diffusing prosperity under the 
directing genius of Hamilton, a cloud of war made its ap- 
pearance among the Indian nations on the frontier. Of these, 
the Creeks in the south kept Georgia on the alert ; whilst on 
the north-west beyond the Ohio, certain tribes, cherishing 
vengeance for past hostilities against them, carried on a desul- 
tory warfare; plundering and ravaging detached settlements. 
The president directed his attention first towards the Creeks, 
with whom adjustment was rendered difficult by their con- 
nexion with Spain. The first attempt to bring about an ac- 
commodation failed, but, in 1790, Gillivray their chief, was 
induced to proceed to New York, and conclude a treaty. 

Similar overtures made to the Indians beyond the Ohio, 
were not attended with any good result. Washington regard- 



How did Hamilton propose to raise a 
revenue ? 

What tax was strongly opposed ? 

What was Hamilton's next measure ? 

Who opposed it > 

How did Washington decide the mat- 
ter? 



What were the immediate conse- 
quences of the establishment of a 
national bank ? 

What Indians were hostile to the 
United States ? 

When were the Creeks conciliated ? 

What Indians remained hostile ? 



320 DEFEAT OF GENERAL ST. CLAIR. 

ing the employment of a regular force as necessary, pressed 
on congress the increase of the army, which did not at that 
time exceed 1,200 men. But his recommendation was una- 
vailing ; and the settlers of the west were left for a time to 
their own defence. 

At length, in 1790, some funds and troqps were voted ; and 
in the autumn of that year, an expedition of 1,500 men under 
General Harmer was sent up the river Wabash, where he 
succeeded in burning some Indian villages ; but, in the end 
retreated with little honour and much loss. This check pro- 
cured for Washington permission to raise a greater number of 
troops. Two expeditions were undertaken in the following 
year, both without success. 

Finally a considerable force under General St. Clair suffered 
a most disastrous defeat. He was surrounded by the Indians ; 
and unable either to dislodge them or sustain their fire, the 
Americans were driven in disorderly flight a distance of 30 
miles in four hours. They lost 60 officers, amongst whom 
was General Butler, and upwards of 800 men, more than half 
their force ; and yet the Indians were not supposed to out- 
number their enemies. 

' This disaster gave rise to a proposal from the president to 
raise the military force of the country to 5,000 men, which, 
after some oppositfon in congress, was finally agreed to. 

The state of Vermont, which having been formerly claimed 
by New York and New Hampshire, had, in 1777, refused to 
submit to either, and declared itself independent, applied in 
1791 to be admitted into the Union, and was accordingly re- 
ceived. Kentucky, which had hitherto been a part of Vir- 
ginia, was also admitted by an act which was to take effect on 
the first of June in the succeeding year. 

In order to determine the ratio of representation according 
to the population, a census was required by the constitution 
to be taken every tenth year. The first was completed in 
1791 ; by wliich it appeared that the wiiole number of inhabi- 
tants was 3,921,326, of whom 695,655 were slaves. 

In the spring of 1791, Washington made a tour through the 
southern states, on which occasion, stopping upon the Poto- 
mac, he selected, according to the powers entrusted to him, the 

What was proposed by Washin^oii i" 
What was the progress of the Indian 

war in 1790 ' 
What is said of St. Claii's expedition ? 
What increase of the military force 

of the nation was the consequence 

of this disastOT f 



What states were admitted to the 

Union ? 
\Vhat is said of the census ? 
What was its result in 1791 .' 
Wliat place did Washington select fot 

the metropolis of the country .' 



WASHINGTON RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT. 321 

site for the capital of the union. He was greeted throughout 
his progress with affectionate welcome; nor was a murmur 
allowed to reach his ear, although the odious excise law was, 
just about that period, brought into operation. 

A new congress met at Philadelphia in the latter end of 
October ; and, in his opening speech, the president principally 
alluded to the great success of the bank scheme, the shares for 
which had all been subscribed for in less than two hours after 
the books were opened ; to the operations of the excise law, 
and the obstinate resistance of the Indians. 

Washington's first term of office being about to expire, he 
was, in the autumn of 1792, elected a second time to the 
office of president, for another term of four years, commencing 
March 4th, 1793. Mr. Adams was again elected vice-president. 

Washington accepted the presidency at a moment when 
the country was about to stand most in need of his impartial 
honesty and firmness. The French revolution had just 
reached its highest point of fanaticism and disorder; and the 
general war which it occasioned in Europe put it out of the 
power of the president and the .people of the United States to 
remain indifferent spectators of what was passing. 

The French republic was about to appoint a new envoy to 
the United States ; and questions arose as to whether he 
should be received, and whether the treaty concluded with 
the monarch of France, stipulating a defensive alliance in 
case of an attack, upon the part of England, was now bind- 
ing on America. 

These, and other questions arising out of them, being sub- 
mitted by the president to his cabinet, after much discussion, 
in which Hamilton and Knox were for breaking with the new 
government of France, and Jefferson and Randolph were for 
recognising it ; they agreed that, for the sake of preserving 
neutrality, a proclamation should be issued, forbidding the 
citizens of the United States from fitting out privateers against 
eitlier power. The president resolved to receive the envoy, 
and it was agreed that no mention should be made of the 
treaty, or of its having been taken into consideration. 

The new envoy, M. Genet, an ignorant and arrogant indi- 
vidual, instead of sailing to Philadelphia, the seat of govern- 



How was he received on his tour 
through the southern states ? 

When (lid a new congress meet ? 

To what did Washington allude in his 
opening speech p 

When were he and Mr. Adams re- 
elected ? 



What was now passing in Europe ? 
What questions arose respecting the 

relations of the United States with 

France ? 
How was the oahinet divided ? 
What was finally agreed on ? 



322 



PROCEEDINGS OF CITIZEN GENET. 



ment, and communicating immediately with the president or 
ministers, landed at Charleston in South Carolina, and there 
remained six weeks superintending and authorising the fitting 
out of cruisers to intercept British vessels. The enthusiasm 
with which he was welcomed by the people, both at Charles- 
ton and during his land journey to Philadelphia, induced citi- 
zen Genet to believe that the envoy of France must be as 
powerful as its name was revered. He deemed that, relying 
on the popular support, he might set himself above the cau- 
tious scruples of the existing government. 

Accordingly, when expostulated with upon his licensing 
privateers, and upon the captures made by his countrymen in 
the very rivers of the United States, Genet replied, that the 
treaty between France and this country sanctioned such mea- 
sures, and that any obstructions put upon them would not only 
be infractions of the treaty, but treason against the rights of 
man. 

The government, however, arrested two individuals who 
had entered on the privateering service, and when Genet de- 
manded their release, he was countenanced and supported by 
a set of adherents who gave him fetes, and formed societies 
in favour of his opposition to the constituted authorities of 
the country. This emboldened him still further to insult the 
government, by sending out a privateer from Philadelphia 
during Washington's absence from that city, after having 
promised to detain her till his return. 

Whilst the government was consulting its law officers, to 
decide how best they might deal with the refractory and in- 
solent French envoy, the latter made it a ground of complaint 
that the British were in the habit of taking French property 
out of American vessels, contrary to the principles of neu- 
trality avowed by the rest of Europe. Jefferson himself, 
although favourable to French interests, was obliged to tell 
Genet, on this occasion, that the British were right. But 
the latter would yield to neither authority nor reason ; he 
replied in the most insulting tone, and would appeal, he said, 
from the president to the people. 

This expression sealed his fate. The people at once 
abandoned the spoiled favourite, when he talked of insjdting 
their beloved chief in this manner. The well earned popu- 



How did the French envoy proceed ' 
When remonstrated with, what was 

liis nnwcr .' 
What was done by the government ? 
By Genet's friends ? 



By (lenet himself? 
(1f what did he complain ? 
What was asserted by JefTerson ? 
What was Oeoet's threat .' 
What was the consequence .' 



INSURRECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA. 



323 



larity of Washington could not be shaken by the blus- 
tering of this insolent foreigner. He was deserted by his 
warmest admirers, and when the government determined on 
preserving its neutrality, had demanded and obtained his 
recall, the envoy, not daring to return to a country where it 
might be considered one of the rights of man to take off his 
head, quietly retired into obscurity and oblivion, and lived 
for many years under the protection of the very government 
which he had dared to insult. 

Although the conduct of this individual disgusted the federal 
party, and perhaps added to its numbers by detaching many 
from the opposite ranks ; the republicans still continued to 
cherish a gratefid recollection of the services rendered to this 
country by France, during the revolutionary war, and a strong 
sympathy for those who were struggling for liberty against 
a powerful league of European monarchs who seemed bent 
on the utter destruction of the French republic. The war- 
fare between the parties in the United States, respectively 
favouring England and France, was carried on with consi- 
derable spirit on both sides ; and it required all the firmness 
and integrity of Washington to restrain them from breaking 
out into dangerous excesses. 

General Wayne, who had been appointed to carry on the 
Indian war, after the defeat of St. Clair, marched against them 
at the head of 3,000 men, and in an action fought on the banks 
of the Miami, August 20th, 1794, totally routed them and 
destroyed their forts and villages. This action was followed 
by a treaty which gave security to the north-western frontier, 
and soon occasioned a rapid increase in the population of 
that favoured region. 

The excise law was highly unpopular in many parts of the 
country. The inquisitorial character of such regulations 
must always render them obnoxious to popular hatred. In 
Pennsylvania, particularly, the dislike rose to forcible resist- 
ance, which soon assumed an organised form, and set all 
law and legal order at defiance. A proclamation was at first 
issued, but proved of no avail. The federal members of the 
cabinet urged the necessity of assembling the militia of the 
neighbouring states, and marching them to intimidate or 
crush the insurrectionary force of Pennsylvania. This was 
a bold step, and much decried and disputed at the time. But 



Which party were partial to the 

French, and which to the English ^ 

What was done by Genera] Wayne ? 



What was the consequence of his 

victory ? 
In what state was the excise law 

forcibly opposed ? 



324 



JAY » TREATY. 



it completely succeeded. A militia force, under the com- 
mand of Governor Lee, and accompanied by Secretary Ha- 
milton, marched across the Alleghany mountains, and such 
was their imposing number, tliat the insurgents shrunk from 
a contest with their armed brethren, and dispersed without 
offering any resistance. The result was most important, and, 
as producing it, the insurrection itself pro\'ed beneficial, since 
it showed to the lover of anarchy that there did exist a force 
in the country sufficient to put down any unconstitutional 
attempt. 

Mr. Jefferson had already retired from the office of secre- 
tary of slate, and been succeeded by Mr. Randolph. Hamil- 
ton and Knox now retired from the departments of the 
treasury and war, giving place to Mr. Wolcott and Colonel 
Pickering. 

Mr. Jay, who had been sent envoy to England, had con- 
cluded a treaty with Lord Grenville, the minister of that 
country, which was now received. By this treaty, England 
stipulated to evacuate the posts hitherto occupied by her 
within the boundary line of the United States ; the Ameri- 
cans, on the other hand allowing British subjects every faci- 
lity for the recovery of past debts. Lidemnification was 
promised on both sides for illegal captures. Freedom of 
trade was agreed on to a certain extent. Americans were 
allowed to trade with the West Indies in vessels under twenty 
tons, provided they carried their produce to their own ports 
only, and exported no such produce to Europe. This last 
stipulation was hard, as it prohibited the American from send- 
ing to Europe the cotton or sugar of his own production. 
This had escaped Mr. Jay, and the president refused to ratify 
the treaty till this mistake was rectified. The other grievance 
of the treaty was, the risht of England, still allowed, to take 
out of American ships contraband articles, and to be in some 
measure the judge of what was contraband. This, which, 
when Mr. Jeiferson was secretary of state, had been loudly 
complained of, formed a just ground of cavil against the 
treaty. However, these objections were counterbalanced by 
so many advantages, that the president, after some further 
delay, ratified the treaty, and a majority of the senate con- 
curred in his decision. 



How was the insiirrertion quelled ? 

What was demonstratcil by this pro- 
ceeding of the government ? 

What changes took place in the 
cabinet ? 



Who had raade a treaty with Great 

Kritain P 
What were its principal articles ? 
What parts were objected to ? 
Was it ratified ? 



PACIFIC POLICY OF WASHINGTON. 



325 



Never had there beeu a more violent expression of opinion 
in America, than that which now assailed Washington and 
his treaty ; for his it was considered. Notliing was to be 
heard but discussions concerning it; and public meetings 
were called in almost every town, at whicli addresses and 
resolutions were drawn up against it. 

The republican party exclaimed against it as the basest in- 
gratitude against France, and treason towards a repubhc, 
whose watclivvord and safeguard ought to be hatred to mo- 
narchy and to England. The grave dignity of Washington 
contemning his opposers, rebuked with effect such violent 
addresses as were offered to him ; and his firmness caused 
pubhc opinion to rally, if not to turn in his favour. Hamil- 
ton left his retirement to defend the measure ; and although 
the people refused to listen to him in public, lie advocated it 
with the pen in writings tliat staggered opposition, and ac- 
tually stemmed the popular torrent. These exertions of the 
federalists enabled the president to stand his ground and sup- 
port the treaty, which was ultimately of great benefit to the 
commerce as well as the productive industry of the country. 

Ere the president again met congress, his envoys had 
almost concluded treaties with Spain, with Algiers, and with 
the Indians beyond the Ohio. Spain yielded the right to 
navigate the Mississippi, with a depot at New Orleans. So 
that these united with the British treaty, formed a complete 
pacific system, which Washington aimed at establishing, ere 
he retired from the executive, as the last bequest to his 
country. 

Party spirit was, however, still active and strong. The 
arrival of a new French envoy gave rise, by the extravagant 
addresses which he made, to a fresh access of enthusiasm in 
favour of that country. The president kept unswervingly to 
his neutral policy, although he was now unsupported by any 
eminent man as minister. He proclaimed the treaty with 
Great Britain, Although this right was secured to him, con- 
jointly with the senate, by the constitution, the house of re- 
presentatives still complained that they had not been con- 
sulted ; and they passed a vote demanding of the president 
the communication of the papers and correspondence relative 



What was now done by the people ? 
Who sustained Washington in his 

course ' 
What was the ultimate eflfect of the 

treatv ? 



28 



With what other countries did Wash- 

infjton cflect treaties i" 
Whnt was done on the arrival of a 

new French envoy ? 
What is said of the president ? 
Of the house of representatives .' 



326 



COMPLAINTS OF THE FRENCH DIRECTORY. 



to the treaty. This he firmly refused, on constitutional 
grounds, and as a pernicious precedent, stating his reasons at 
considerable lenglli. But tlie lower house did not want pre- 
texts for discussing the treaty, and advocating their riglit to 
interfere with it. Strong debates ensued. But the great 
body of the people had too much respect for the founder of 
their liberties to support a factious and personal opposition 
to him. 

France remained the only country dissatisfied with the 
conduct of the United States. She thought herself entitled 
to more than common amity ; in fact to the gratitude and 
cordial support of a sister repul)lic. The treaty, therefore, 
between America and Great Britain, had excited the resent- 
ment of the directory ; and, indeed, those articles of it, which 
allowed the latter country the right of taking French goods 
from neutral ships, were calculated to excite complaint. 

The directory, however, was not content with addressing 
the language of legitimate remonstrance to the cabinet of 
Washington. They directed their envoy to address congress ; 
to appeal from the president to the people as Genet had done; 
and so attempt to force the government of this country into a 
closer alliance with France. 

Washington, however, was not able to bring this negotia- 
tion, as he had done others, to a term. The period of his 
second tenure of the presidential office was about to expire, 
and no consideration could tempt him to permit his re-election. 
Besides his age and fatigues there were many reasons for this 
decision, the principal of which was that one person had ruled 
a sufficient time for a free republic. 

His intention of retiring from the presidency, Washington 
announced to the people of the United States in a valedictory 
address, which, fi)r eloquence and force, and for sound prin- 
ciples of government, must be considered one of the classic 
records of political wisdom. Despite their late opposition, the 
legislature were unanimous in the tribute of gratitude and 
veneration, which answered the president's announcement 
that he addressed tliem fi)r the last time. The people read 
the Farewell Address with feelings of profound respect and 
attachment; and several of the state legislatures inserted it at 
large in their journals, and passed resolutions expressing their 



Of the president's refusal and reply ' 

What ensued ? 

How did the people stand affected ? 

What is said of France ? 

Of the directory ? 



What did they direct their envoy to 

d(. > 
What were Washington's reasons for 

retiring from office ? 
What is said of his Farewell Address ^ 



Washington's retirement. 827 

exalted sense of the services and character of its author, and 
their emotions at his retirement from office. 

'I'he candidates for the highest office in the nation, about to 
become vacant, were Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. 
The former was supported by the republican party, and the 
latter by the federalists. After a very active canvass, the 
federal party prevailed, Adams receiving the highest number 
of voles was elected president, and Jefferson having the 
second number was declared vice-president. 

On the 4th of March, 1797, Washington, having witnessed 
the ceremony of his successor's inauguration, and tendered 
him ' those respectful compliments which he believed to be 
equally due to the man and to the office, hastened to that real 
felicity which awaited him at Mount Vernon, the enjoyment 
of which he had long impatiently anticipated.'* 

' Amidst all the victories and high achievements of young 
America,' says an impartial writer whom we have had fre- 
quent occasion to quote, 'there is none of which she has so 
much reason to be proud as the having given birth to Wash- 
ington. So perfect, so pure, so simple, yet so lofty a charac- 
ter, the modern world had not yet produced. Indeed, a Euro- 
pean monarchy could not have produced a Washington. Our 
social organisation, framed on feudal principles, is too much 
impregnated wiih vanity, personal ambition, and the love of 
precedence, not to have corrupted the colonial officer long ere 
he became the hero of independence. Not but that monarchies 
have their worthies, Sidneys and Bayards, a numerous host; 
but a Washington they could not have, because the first rank 
of military talent must, amongst these, infallibly ins[)ire some 
passion of baser alloy. Let Cromwell, and Napoleon, and 
Marlborough, and Charles XII, be passed with their compeers 
in view, and it will be seen how even patriotism dwindled as 
a motive, till utterly lost amidst baser sentiments. 

' Washington stands alone. As a commander, his charac- 
ter has risen, since men have come to examine it. With an 
army so doubting in spirit, and uncertain in numbers, as to 
have filled any captain with despair, he still achieved what, 
indeed, probability rendered hopeless. Cool and imperturba- 
ble to bide his time, and, Fabius-like, observe the enemy, he 



Who were candidates for the presi- 
dency } 
Who was chosen president ? 
Who was chosen vice-president ? 



When were they inaugurated ? 
Whither did Washington retire ? 
What is siidof the chiracter of Wash- 
ington as a commander ? 



Marshall. 



328 CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON. 

never wanted the impetuosity of Marcellus, when opportunity 
rendered sufh advantageous. 

'As a staU'snian, his administration forms a monument as 
glorious as his campaigns. He found a constitution born so 
feebly, that its very parents were hopeless of its existence ; 
yet he contrived in raising it to give it force, and communicate 
to it the principle of maturity. Amidst the storm of adverse 
parties thai gradually arose around him, Washington preserved 
an impartial sense of what his country demanded : and though 
latterly he leaned to the side of federalism, and strong institu- 
tions, yet it was never so much as to upset the balance; and 
perhaps the greatest proof of his sagacity, and of the (hfliculty 
of this task, is, that his successor, John Adams, failed in the 
snme attempt, and by allowing himself to be borne away by 
one party, gave to the other the opportunity of successful re- 
action. 

' " His mind was greatand powerful," says Jefferson, " with- 
out being of the first order; his penetration strong, though not 
so acute as tliat of Newton, Bacon, or Locke ; and, as far as 
he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in ope- 
ration, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure 
in conclusion." He was incapable of fear, being full of calm 
courage in the field; and though naturally of an "irritable 
and high-toned temper," he had nevertheless so subdued this 
by rellection and resolution, that it never interfered with the 
coohiess of his judgment, or with that prudence, which Jef- 
ferson said, was the strongest feature in his character. When 
gready moved, his wrath was, however, tremendous. " His 
heart was not warm in its affections, but he exactly calculated 
every man's value, and gave him a solid esteem proportioned 
to it. His person was fine; his stature exactly what one 
would wish; his deportment easy, erect, and noble. His 
was the most graceful figure that could be seen on horseback. 
Aliliough in the circle of his friends, where he might be un- 
reserved witii safet}', he took a free share in conversation, his 
colloquial talents were not above mediocrity, possessing 
neither copiousness of ideas, nor fluency of words. In 
pul)lic, when called on for a sudden opinion, he was un- 
ready, short, and embarrassed ; yet he wrote readily, rather 
dilliisely, in an 'easy, correct style. This he had acquired by 
conversation with the world ; for his education had been 
merely reading, writing, and arithmetic. His time was 
employed in action chiefly, reading little, and that only in 



As :> statesman ? I As a man ? 



CONDUCT OF FRANCE. 329 

agriculture and English history. His correspondence became 
necessarily extensive, and, with journalising his agricultural 
proceedings, it occupied most of his leisure hours within 
doors. On the whole, his character was in its mass perfect, 
in nothing bad, in few points indifferent; and it may truly be 
said, that never did nature and fortune combine more per- 
fectly to make a man great, and to place him in the same 
constellation with whatever w^orthies have merited from man 
an everlasting remembrance." ' 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN ADAMS. 

The new president had been elected by ihe votes of the 
federal parly. Like the other leading federalists he had been 
charged with a leaning towards monarchy ; and his writings 
gave some colour to the sirpposition. But the same charge 
is always made against those who are in favour of what is 
called a strong government. His character for talent stood 
high. All who wished to uphold the policy of Washington 
had voted in his favour. He was not supposed to be so biassed 
against France as many others of his party; and Jefferson 
himself had pronounced him to be ' the only sure barrier 
against Hamilton's gelling in.' The northern slates were all 
for him, and as the southern men were b)' no means united 
in the support of Jefferson, Adams had prevailed without 
difficulty. 

The conduct of France was the first important subject of 
attention lo the new government. The executive directory 
of that country, elated by their new and wondrous career of 
conquest, were disposed to assume towards foreign powers a 
tone of imperial arrogance. Mr. Pinckney, the American 
envoy, considered of the federal, rather than of the republican 
party, was informed that ' he could not be received till exist- 
ing grievances had been redressed ;' and was, moreover, 
almost bidden to quit the country. In addition to these insults to 
Mr. Pinckney, Mr. Monroe, the former envoy, was addressed, 
at his audience of leave, in terms so vituperative as to amount 



What was Mr. Adams's character ? | How were the American envoys in 

I France treated ? 
29* 



330 



RELATIONS WITH FRANCE. 



almost to a declaration of war. The tone assumed, was that 
of an appeal from the government to the people of llie United 
Slates; and the minister of France in America liad adopted 
the same tone and conduct in endeavouring to influence the 
late elections. 

Whatever were the previous opinions of the new president, 
he now displayed himself as sensitive to these insults on the 
part of France as any of the federalists. His speecli to con- 
gress was coached in warmer and more spirited terms than 
even Washington would have used. The drawing up an 
answer to tliis, occasioned a full fortnight's debate in the 
house of representatives ; but at length a reply correspondent 
to the president's tone and views was carried by 51 or 52 
voices against 48. 

This showed the balance of parties ; proved that Adams 
still kept the ascendency, by a small majority, that Washing- 
ton had done ; and that the dread of French induence pre- 
vailed over the suspicion endeavoured to be raised of mo- 
narchistn and an arbitrary executive. France, however, was 
a formidable enemy. Tidings of her victories poured in, 
whilst those from England told of i)ank payments suspended, 
a niulinv in the fleet, and the abandonment of her best conti- 
nental ally. 

Three envoys, Messrs. Pinckney, Marshall, and Gerry, 
were appointed to proceed to France, and attempt once more 
to avert a war, if it could be done consistently with the na- 
tional interest and honour. All important business was at a 
stand in Ameri(-a during the latter end of 1797, and beginning 
of 1798, owing to uncertainty as to the result of this mission. 

On its arrival, the envoys were informed by iM. Talleyrand, 
the minister for foreign affairs, that they could not be received 
by the directory. 'J'hey had permission to remain in Paris, 
however, and the agents of Talleyrand were employed to 
negotiate with them. The true ditrjculty in llie way of accom- 
modation, in addition to the impertinent arrogance of the di- 
rectory, seemed to be that the leaders of that immaculate body 
received a great part of the gains accruing from American 
prizes made by the French. A treaty would have cut ofT 
this resource. In order to make up for the anticipated dcfi- 



How wore these insults regarded by 

tlip provident ? 
Wlint i-i s:iiii iif his sproch to congress ? 
Of tlie debate and answer ? 
What did the division of the liouse 

ehow ? 



Wliat news came from France ? 
From F.ngland ' 

What envoys were sent to France ? 
How were they treated f 



PREPARATIONS FOR WAR WITH FRANCE. 



331 



ciency, Talleyrand demanded a douceur of $250,000 for 
himself and the other leaders of the directory, besides a loan 
to be afterwards made from America to France. 

To exact these conditions, every argument that meanness 
could suggest was employed by Talleyrand: he demanded to 
be feed as a lawyer, or bribed as a friend. But the American 
envoys were inexorable ; and two of their number returned, 
to announce to their countrymen the terms on wiiich peace 
was offered. The cupidity of the French government com- 
pletely turned against it the tide of popular feeling in America. 
' Millions for defence, not a cent for tribute,' was instantly 
the general cry ; and the president felt his hands strengthened 
by the demands of the French. Certainly never minister 
showed himself less sagacious than did M.Talleyrand in this 
affair, or more ignorant of the spirit and manners of a nation 
amongst whom he had resided. 

Congress voted an army of twelve new regiments, with 
engineers and artillery corps. Washington was appointed 
its commander in chief, an office which he accepted with un- 
feigned reluctance, although he approved of the course of the 
government. A naval armament, too, was decided upon, and 
a new department — that of the navy — erected into a ministe- 
rial office, giving a seat in the cabinet. A land tax passed 
congress. An alien law was passed for getting rid of Volney, 
CoUot, and other French emissaries ; and a sedition bill fol- 
lowed it, which was loudly complained of by the republicans. 
Communication with France was prohibited ; orders issued 
for capturing any of her vessels that might appear off the 
coasts, and all treaties with that country were declared to be 
void. These successive steps were not taken without the 
opposition of a strong minority in congress, of whom the 
vice-president, Mr. Jefferson, may be considered the leader. 

A great part, however, of tliis animosity against France, 
proceeded from an apprehension that she meant to invade 
America, and to interfere under the pretext of giving her some 
larger share of liberty, such as she had forcibly imposed upon 
Switzerland. When, however, it was seen that France had 
no such ideas of offensive war, and when Talleyrand ex- 



What terms were privately offered 
by Talleyrand } 

How were they received by the en- 
voys ? 

By tlie American nation ? 

What was done by congress ? 

Who was appointed commander in 
chief the armj" ? 



What new department was created ? 

What tax P 

What is said of the alien and sedition 
laws } 

Of the orders issued ? 

Of the oijposition and of Jefferson ? 

What mistake led to these prepara- 
tions ? 



332 



DEATH OF WASHINGTON. 



plained away his former arrogance by more recent declara- 
tions to Mr. Gerry, the envoy who had latest left France, 
and still later by overtures made through Piclion, the French 
charge de affaires at the Hague, to Mr. Murray, there was 
somewhat of a reaction. 

This became evident in 1799, when the weight of the ad- 
ditional taxes and restrictions had begun to be felt. Several 
states petitioned for the repeal of the alien and sedition laws ; 
whilst in others there was a general resistance to the officers 
employed in taking the valuation preparatory to the land tax. 
This last spirit showed itself chiefly in the western part of 
Pennsylvania. The president had, however, anticipated this 
reaction in favour of peace, by appointing Mr. Murray pleni- 
potentiary to the French republic, with a proviso, however, 
that he was not to enter their territories before he was assured 
of an honourable reception. 

The directory had fallen ere that took place ; and Bonaparte, 
who as first consul succeeded to their power, had no merce- 
nary interest in prolonging the slate of hostility. This was, 
accordingly, discontinued, and a final treaty of peace was 
signed betwixt France and America in the course of the year 
1800. 

The war, while it lasted, had given rise to some encounters 
at sea, which afforded a promise of the future glories of the 
American navy. One of these was a very severe action be- 
tween the American frigate Constellation, of 38 guns, com- 
manded by Commodore Truxton, and the French frigate 
rinsurgente, of 40 guns, which terminated in the capture of 
tiie latter. Truxton, in a subsequent engagement, compelled 
another French frigate, motinting no less than 50 guns, to 
strike her colours, but she afterwards made her escape in the 
night. 

Before this war had terminated, Washington M'as removed 
from the scene of his eartlily glories. He died after an illness 
of only a few hours, occasioned by cold and consequent in- 
flammation of the throat, at Mount Vernon, on the 14th of 
December, 1799. Neither congress nor the nation were 
wanting in that universal tribute of mourning and veneration 
due to the illustrious founder of their common freedom. 
Perhaps the most sensible mark of this veneration was the 
removal of the seat of government to the federal city, of 



Wlnt produced a ronction ? 
How was this manifcsfod ' 
What was done liy the president } 
By tlie French under Bonaparte ? 



What naval encounters had taken 

place } 
When did Washington die .' 



COLONEL BURR. 



333 



which the site was selected by Washington, and which was 
dignified with his name. In November, 1800, congress 
opened its sittings at Washington for the first time. 

A new trial of strength was now about to take place between 
the federal and republican parties, as the four years' term of 
Mr. Adams's government was about to expire. That stales- 
man, it has been seen, was elected by tlie predominance of 
federal principles, in the north-eastern states, as well as by an 
opinion that his own political feelings were moderate. No 
sooner, however, was he possessed of the sovereign functions, 
than he entered with zeal into anti-Gallican measures, and 
both congress and the country were borne full sail along with 
him. Adams was thus carried on in a kind of triumph, and 
at a speed that left him little master of his course, or of pru- 
dent management. Although jealous of Hamilton, and anx- 
ious not to tread in his footsteps, the president had flung 
himself among the Hamiltonian party ; and they, as well as 
his own heat, led him into a series of acts, which displayed 
all the unpopular tendencies of the federalists. 

Fleets and armies, judicial offices, taxes and places, were 
increased ; and such strong acts passed, for the restraint of 
sedition and foreign agents, as were evidently di.ngerous to 
civil liberty. This became more clear, as the martial ardour 
and indignation of the country cooled ; and the strong reaction, 
which we have noticed, took place against Adams and the 
federalists. In vain did the former try to shake off this party, 
and siiow himself distinct from them, in the appointment of 
fresh envoys to France, and in the terms of the treaty con- 
cluded. It was too late ; the tide of popular feeling ebbed 
from the federalists towards the republicans, and Adams was 
of course included amongst the former. 

On the important question of the presidential election, it 
was the populous state of New York that held the balance. 
Hitherto its elections had been federal, but now from the 
causes already enumerated, this state began to incline towards 
the democratic parly. There was a personage at this time in 
New York, most active in canvassing for republican votes, 
and turning the tide against the federalists. Tiiis was Colonel 
Burr, a man whose subsequent career furnished an enigma 
which history has hitherto failed to solve. His talents were 
of a high order; his service in the revolution commenced 
with Arnold's famous march to Quebec, and ei.ded only with 



Wlipn did congress first sit in the city 

of Washington ? 
What was now about to take place P 
What had been Mr. Adams's course ? 



How did he lose his popularity ? 
Who was put on the republican ticket 

■with Jetfcrson ? 
What was Burr's character ? 



334 



ELECTION OF JEFFERSON. 



the war; and he had lately been active as a party politician ; 
so that it is not surprising he should have been put in nomi- 
nation throujrhout all the states, in common with Jefferson, 
on the republican interest. 

When the votes were counted, Adams, supported by the 
federalists, was found completely in the minority, Jefferson 
and Burr were the names foremost upon the list ; and by a 
singular fatality, they had an equal number of votes. As the 
constitution had provided that the candidate having the greatest 
number of votes should be president, and the one having the 
second number, sliould be vice-president, it now became a 
question who was entitled to the highest office. The cir- 
cumstance of equality in the number of votes of two candi- 
dates, gave the power of election to the house of representa- 
tives ; and hither, accordingly, all the efforts of party and 
intrigue were directed. Some of the federalists proposed 
appointing a temporary executive, and proceeding to a new 
election by the people. BiH the republicans, knowing that 
it had been the intention of the people to elect Jefferson 
president, W(juld listen to no terms of compromise. Thirty- 
five ballotings took place in the house, before a decision was 
obtained ; and then Jefferson prevailed over his opponent, 
and was declared president. Burr becoming vice-president. 
The question was decided in February, 1801. 

Tlie unqualified disapprobation, and extensive desertion of 
the people from the administration to the opposition party, 
occasioned by some of the anti-republican measures of Mr. 
Adams's administration, evince a determination wliich has ever 
been inflexible in the Americans, to adhere to the essential 
principles of liberty, even though it should require the sacri- 
fice of men distinguished by the highest talents, political 
experience, and public services. ♦ Principles, not men' is 
their motto. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

Jefferson's administration. 



As the ever large body of the politically timid, who invari- 
ably desert the unsuccessful, now passed over to the side of 



What appeared on rountinp the votes ? 
Give an account of what followed this 
discovery. 



How was the election Anally decid- 
ed ? 



Jefferson's administration. 



335 



Jefferson, their accession, together with the popular support 
ol' his own party, gave him a stronger power thau had been 
wielded since tlie first year of Washington. He now pro- 
ceeded to redeem his promises of retrenchment and reform. 
He reduced the army, the navy, the supreme judicial court, 
and the taxes, more especially the odious excise. 

What he called the levees of the president, were done away 
with ; and as the appearance of the first magistrate in person, 
to address congress, savoured too much, in his opinion, of the 
regal custom of Great Britain, this was to be discontinued, and 
future communications from the executive to the legislature 
were to be made in writing. He removed from office some 
of the most violent of his opponents, professing to make a 
distinction, however, between the monarchical and the re- 
publican federalists. 

The judges were irremoveable by law, and into the judi- 
ciary the 'federals retired as into a strong hold.' It was in 
the treasury department that Jefferson chiefly, and with most 
alacrity, plied the pruning knife of reform. The abolition of 
internal taxes enabled him to do away with a great number of 
offices ; and by taking measures for gradually paying the debt, 
he led the way towards undermining that great patronage and 
influence of this department, which the democrats of that 
period pronounced the most criminal and anti-republican work 
of the federalists. It is undoubtedly true that the influence 
of the treasury is dangerous to the purity and integrity of 
republican institutions; and this is equally true, whether tjie 
nation be deeply in debt, or free from debt, with an over- 
flowing treasury. Jefferson was right, therefore, not only in 
aiming at the payment of the public debt, but in reducing the 
receipts of the treasury to the absolute wants of the govern- 
ment. 

He has thus described his first year's work, in a letter to 
Kosciusko. 

' The session of the first congress, convened since republi- 
canism has recovered its ascendancy, is now drawing to a 
close. They will pretty completely fulfil all the desires of 
the people. They have reduced the army and navy to what 
is barely necessary. They are disarming executive patronage 
and preponderance, by putting down one half the offices of 
the United States, which are no longer necessary. These 



What were the first measures of Jef- 
ferson's afiministration ? 
What is said of the levees ? 
Of the removals from office ? 



Of the judges ? 

Of the taxes ? Of the treasury ? 
How does Jefferson describe his first 
year's work ? 



336 



AFFAIR OF LOITISIANA. 



economies have enabled them to suppress all the internal 
taxes, and still to make such provision for the payment of 
their public debt, as to discharge that in eighteen years. 
They have lopped off a parasite limb, planted by their pre- 
decessors, on their judiciary body, for party purposes; they 
are opening the doors of hospitality to the fugitives from llie 
oppressions of other countries ; and we have suppressed all 
their public forms and ceremonies, which tended to familiarise 
the public eye to theharbiuger of another form of government.' 
, The Americans were congratulating tliemselves that the 
restoration of peace in Europe, by die late treaty between 
England and F'rance, would, by opening tlie ports of these 
nations to America, and ridding the sea of obstruction, bring 
about a season of commercial prosperly, such as they had not 
yet been able to enjoy. Tiie reconciliation of enemies, how- 
ever, in general, turns to the disadvantage, rather than the 
advantage, of neutrals. So the Americans found, upon learn- 
ing that Spain had ceded the province of Louisiana to France; 
and that Great Britain looked on, well pleased, at an arrange- 
ment that would give so troublesome a neighbour as France, 
to the United Stales. 

The attention of Napoleon, who then governed France 
was necessarily directed to the recovery of that colonial force 
which had been lost during the war. His present amity with 
Britain opening the ocean to the French fleets, enabled the 
first consul to form plans of empire in the only region where 
England would permit and might applaud the attempt. An 
expedition was fitted out to recover St. Domingo from the 
insurgent blacks. After its conquest, the army was to take 
possession of Louisiana ; and these united would give to 
France a certain preponderance in the West Indies, as well 
as commercial advantages highly to be desired. IJy these 
means, indeed, they would have the full command of the 
Mississippi, and the gulf stream itself. 

Tlie president no sooner learned these arrangements, than 
he wrote to Mr. Livingston, the envoy at Paris, to represent 
there the inexpediency of them, and the danger that would 



What wns cITrctod by the treaty of 
pp;ice l'etwccnKngl;iiid and Fnincc' 

What did the Americans expect from 
it? 

What nation acquired Louisiana ? 

Wliat was now the ol)ject of Napo- 
leon f 

Wliat expedition did he cause to be 
fitted out i" 



After conquering St. Domingo, whi- 
ther was tlie French army to pro- 
ceed ? 

What would naturally follow from 
this proceeding ? 

What did Jellerson do to prevent 
this ? 



ACQUISITION OF LOUISIANA. 337 

accrue to the good feeling between the people of all nations ; 
he was directed to urge that France was peculiarly the one 
whicli offered no point of collision with the United States, and 
which had been considered, in consequence, their ' natural 
friend ;' that, moreover, there was but one spot on the globe, 
■whose possessor l)ecame the natural and immediate enemy of 
the states ; that this was New Orleans, through which three- 
eighths of American produce must pass, to find a market, and 
that France, by assuming this position, took an attitude of 
defiance and hostility. In this state of contiguity it was hope- 
less to think of amity between France and America. The 
latter country would be compelled to fling herself into the 
arms of Great Britain, and to unite with that power in sweep- 
ing France from the seas, and subverting all her trans-Atlantic 
dominion. 

Towards the close of his instructions, the president urged, 
that should France, considering Louisiana as an essential 
adjunct to her West India possessions, remain fixed in the 
resolve to keep it, the envoy was directed to deniand, at least, 
the cession of the Floridas and New Orleans for a sum of 
money ; though even this alternative was stated as not likely 
to remove the cause of enmity existing in the newly acquired 
vicinity of France. 

Napoleon was, of course, not likely to yield to any thing 
which had the appearance of a threat ; and the right which 
the Americans had hitherto enjoyed, of a depot at New 
Orleans, was suspended by the Spanish authorities in October, 
1802. The western states were instantly in a flame at a pro- 
hibition which, rightful or not, had the eflect of suspending 
their commerce. 

Many of them determined to assert their right by arms ; 
and Jefferson, notwithstanding his partiality for France, would 
have found himself embarked inevitably in a war with that 
country had not other events occurred to obviate the necessity, 
and to preserve peaceably for the United States more than was 
the o'oject of their desires. Fortune, as well as his own pru- 
dence and address, now enabled Jefferson to effect the most 
solid achievement of his administration. 

France, having failed in the attempt to subdue St. Domingo, 
and, in addition to this, a fresh breach with England growing 
daily more imminent; the schemes of the first consul with 



What was threatened ? 
What was demanded ? 
When was the port of New Orleans 
closed against the Americans ? 



What was the consequence ? 
What was now threatened ? 



29 



338 



WAR WITH TRU'OU. 



respect to Louisiana became impracticable. lie could not 
hope to retain it : so iliat, instead of accepling the offer of Jef- 
ferson to pay Spain for the Floridas, he proposed to sell 
Louisiana itself. The American envoys, Livingston and 
Monroe, accepted the offer, and the immense tracts then 
called Louisiana, but embracing all our vast territory west 
of the Mississippi, were added to the United States for the 
sum of fifteen million dollars. 

When it was afterwards objected, that the Floridas and 
New Orleans would have formed a more important acquisi- 
tion, the president replied, that now the Floridas were sur- 
rounded, and could not in time be prevented from becoming 
ours, a prediction which has since been accomplished. 

Another objection made to the acquisition was, that tlie 
western states had already a considerable tendency to separate 
from their eastern brethren ; and that when reinforced by 
Louisiana, with New Orleans for a probable capital, they 
would infallibly, one day or other, separate and form a new 
union. 

The president boldly replied to this, that he saw no in- 
convenience in the separation ; that he only looked upon the 
Atlantic states and tlie Mississij)pi ones as elder and younger 
brethren, who might remain united as long as it was for their 
interest and iiappincss ; and that there could be no objection 
to their separating as soon as it should be for their atlvantage 
so to do. 

The Barbary states still gave great impediment to the com- 
merce of the United States. Agreements had, indeed, been 
entered into with the two principal ones, and sums of money 
sacrificed to secure the respect of the African corsairs. But 
the lesser of these powers having unsuccessfully demanded a 
similar indulgence, the bashaw of 'JVipoli declared and com- 
menced war. A force under Commodore Preble was de- 
spatched into the Mediterranean. One of the ships, the Phila- 
delphia, in reconnoiiering the harbour of 'I'ripoli, run aground 
and was taken. The subsequent recapture and burning of 
this ship, under the guns of the Tripolitan batteries and cor- 



What did Napoleon propose to Mr. 
.loircrson ,' 

AVhat were his rensgns for so doing ? 

Wliat was the cost of the immense 
rcijions purcluisi'd from Fiance ? 

Wliat stales and territories are now 
included in this purchase ? 

What obiectiou was made to the pur- 
chase f 



What was Jefferson's answer ? 

\Vh;it otlicr oljection ? 

tlow (lid he reply to tliis ' 

What is said of the Harhary states 

Who was sent to cliastise the Tripo- 

litans ? 
What liappened to one of the frigates f 
What was done by Decatur ? 



GENERAL EATON S EXPEDlTIuN. 



339 



sairs, was one of the most brilliant achievements of Decatur, 
who was then a lieutenant, and accomplished this famous feat 
in a small schooner with but seventy-six men. 

Tlie wai" with Tripoli, however, would have probably 
eflfected little, but for the enterprise of tlie United States' 
consul at Algiers. This gentleman, whose name was Eaton, 
discovered a pretender to the government of Tripoli, in an 
exiled brother of the reigning bashaw. The consul sought 
him out across the desart, collected a- body of adventurers such 
as haunt those wilds, and invaded the Tripolitan territory 
from land, whilst the American fleet lent its aid by sea. The 
city of Derne was actually taken by storm ; and subsequently 
defended with success against the Tripolitans. These opera- 
tions lasted until the lltli of June, 1805, when the arrival of 
the frigate Constitution in the harbour put an end to them by 
bringing an announcement that peace had already been con- 
cluded between the American agent, Mr. Lear, and the reign- 
ing bashaw. 

Tiie romantic and liigh spirited expedition of Eaton was 
thus terminated in a most unroniantic style ; for by the treaty, 
the agent agreed to abandon the pretender, and pay sixty 
thousand dollars ransom for the American prisoners. Such 
an arrangement, made at such a moment, could not be ac- 
ceptable to tlie nation ; but the treaty was, nevertheless 
ratified, and the war of Tripoli terminated. 

In 1804, a new election of president and vice-president took 
place. Mr. Jefferson was re-elected to the former ofRce, hav- 
ing received all but fourteen votes ; and George Clinton, of 
New York, was elected vice-president. During Mr. Jeffer- 
son's first term of otHce, (1802,) Ohio was admitted into the 
Union, and began its astonishing career of advancement in 
population and wealth. Tennessee had been admitted in 
1796. 

Colonel Burr, having received the votes of the federal party 
when the election of Mr. Jefferson was effected by the house 
of representatives, had lost the favour of the repu!-)licans. In 
1804, he was proposed for the office of governor of New York, 
and received the votes of many of the federalists. Colonel 
Hamilton, who heartily despised him as an adventurer in 
politics, opposed his election, and he was defeated. This 



What was accomplished by General 

Eaton ? 
What put an end to his operations ? 
What were the terms of peace ? 
When was Mr. Jefterson re-electcJ ? 



Who was chosen vice-president ? 
What states had been admitted into 

the Union ? 
What occasioned the duel between 

Burr and Hamilton ? 



340 



BURR S CONSPIRACY. 



circumstance led to a dispute, and a challenge from Burr. 
Tlie parties met, and Hamilton was mortally wounded. No 
circumstance of the kind ever occasioned so strong a feeling 
of regret throughout the country as this fatal duel. 

Burr now disappeared from public notice for a time; and 
w^hen he next appeared upon the stage, it was in a new career 
ofuuprincipled ambition in thesouth-weslern part of the Union. 

All attempts to liberate the Spanish colonies, and commu- 
nicate the same freedom and independence to the southern 
portion of America, which was already enjoyed by the 
northern, were naturally popular in the United States. Ge- 
neral Miranda had planned such an expedition against Carac- 
cas, and had sailed from New York with this view, although 
Jefferson had given him no protection. Of this last, how- 
ever, some have expressed doubts ; for Spain had long resisted 
the transfer of Louisiana, had made an inroad into it in one 
instance, and there were serious and mutual causes of com- 
plaint between the countries. 

Colonel Burr, considering this state of things, formed a 
project for fitting but an expedition in the western part of the 
Union, and proceeding thence to the conquest of Mexico. As 
a first step to this, he was to seize upon New Orleans, which 
was necessary to his enterprise. This having been long a 
favourite project of the western settlers. Burr reckoned upon 
the support of the thousands — in fact of the whole region 
west of the Alleghanies — which he calculated would place 
him in a position to defy the controul of the president himself, 
were he tempted to interfere. 

However popular the idea had been. Burr overlooked the 
material change in circumstances efiected by the acquisition 
of Louisiana, which in fact, gratified all the wants and wishes 
of the western people. A more criminal part of the enterprise 
was an understanding with the Spanish governor in Mexico, 
for separating the western from the Atlantic states, and form- 
ing, as it were, another Union for himself, since the old had 
spurned him. The fact of overtures of this kind having been 
made cannot be doubted, but their sincerity may well be ques- 
tioned ; and that Burr, however serious his designs were upon 
Mexico, ever designed to separate the Union is denied by his 
friends, some of whom were, and are of great respectability. 



What was its result ? 

Wore tlie people of the United States 
desirous of freeing Spanish Ame- 
rica ? 

What is said of Miranda's expedition ? 



What scheme did Burr concoct ? 
Where did he look for support ? 
What was the more criminal part of 
the enterprise .' 



DEPREDATIONS 0\ AMERICAN COMMERCE. 341 

However this may be, he trusted too much to the good 
will of those who wiuiessed his preparations. Intelligence 
of his proceedings was conveyed to the government. Mea- 
sures were taken for counferaciing thein, and making him 
prisoner; and, being at length obliged to tly, he was arrested 
on his way to Mobile by some of the country people, and 
conveyed to Richmond. His trial, on a charge of treason, of 
course drew forth a great deal of political feeling, and gave 
rise to many unpleasant circumstances ; but for want of suf- 
ficient evidence he was finally acquitted, and allowed to trans- 
port himself to Europe. His career as a politician was now 
at an end. 

The conduct of France and England, in committing depre- 
dations on the commerce of the United States, had now 
begun to produce a great deal of irritation. Complaints 
against England, particularly, were loud and clamorous. In 

1804, the president, in his message to congress, had congratu- 
lated them, that annoyances to trade had ceased in Europe, 
though they still existed in the American seas. In December, 

1805, however, he announced that the aspect of foreign re- 
lations was totally changed. He represented the coasts as 
infested by foreign privateers, who made a practice of burning 
those captures to which they thought their claim questionable, 
and by public vessels which pried into every creek and har- 
bour. He spoke of new principles of commerce adopted, by 
which belligerents take to themselves the riglit of trading 
with the hostile country, which they deny to neutrals. He 
concluded by expressing a doubt, whether there was need of 
increasing the army; but the militia, he recommended, should 
be put in a stale of defence. 

These warlike intimations were occasioned by the decrees 
of the British admiralty, which had the effect of prohibitory 
laws upon American commerce, inasmuch as they declared 
such vessels as were engaged in conveying West India pro- 
duce from the United States to Europe, legal prizes. The 
Americans having in their liands nearly the whole carrying- 
trade of the world, during Napoleon's wars, could not but 
feel these decress as levelled particularly at themselves. 

As soon, therefore, as they were known, they excited the 
greatest indignation in this country. Meetings were held in 



How was his plan discovered ? 
On wh it chnrgo was he tried ? 
What was the result P 
What gave occasion for complaint 
against France and England ? 

29 



What was declared by the president 
in 1804? In 1805? 

What decrees occasioned these re- 
marks ? 

What was done by the people ? 



342 



AFFAIR OF THE CHESAPEAKE. 



each commercial city, petitions were forwarded to congress, 
and the republicans clamoured loudly for retaliation ; so that 
the president did but obey the public voice in making this 
vigorous and almost menacing adSress. Not content with it, 
he followed it up by a message of the same import, in the 
January following. 

The federalists objected that France arvd Spain committed 
equal encroachments, without exciting the president's ire in 
any such proportion. But in this they exaggerated, since 
the perseverance of England in impressing American seamen, 
and searching American ships for deserters, and that even 
upon our own coasts, produced daily causes of grievance far 
more numerous and irritating than the decrees of Napoleon. 
In the spring the British ship Leander, then on a cruise off 
New York, practised the most rigid search and annoyances 
towards the vessels from that port. On one occasion a shot 
from it killed an American sailor of the name of Pearce. No 
sooner did a report of this reach the United States government, 
than a proclamation appeared, mentioning the murder, forbid- 
ding any communication between the shore and tliat ship, and 
in fact ordering it ofi' the coast. This was followed by a 
more serious legislative act, against any further importation 
of British manufactures, the restriction to date from the ensu- 
ing November. 

Meantime, in May, 1806, the British orders in council 
were passed, declaring several European ports under controul 
of the French, to be in a state of blockade, and of course au- 
thorising the capture of American vessels bound for them. 

In the month of June, 1807, an event occurred of an 
extremely irritating character. The British man of war 
Leopard, coming up with the American frigate Chesapeake, 
near the coast of the United States, fired into her, killed three 
of her men, and wounded eighteen more. The Chesapeake, 
being a vessel of inferior force, and unprepared for action, 
struck her colours. She was then boarded by the British, 
her crew mustered, and four of them carried oil" under pretence 
that they were British deserters. They were subsequently 
tried at Halifax, and one of them hanged, by way of establish- 
ing the rightfulness of the impressment. The other three 
were proved to be Americans, who had been impressed by 
the British, and had escaped from their service. 



What said tlie foiloralists ? 
Was this strictly tiiio' 
What is said of the Lcandor f* 
How was this outroge retaliated ? 



What was the tenor of the British 

orders in council .' 
Give an account of the affair of the 

Chesapeake. 



BERLIN AND MILAN DECREES, 



343 



The intelligence of this outrage was received with a burst 
of indignation throughout the country. Meetings of the citi- 
zens were very generally held, and, forgetting party distinc- 
tions, all united in resokuions to support the government in 
any measures of retaliation or redress which might be adopted. 
The president issued a proclamation, forbidding British ships 
of war the ports and harbours of the United States, and in- 
structed the American ministers at the court of St. James to 
deuiaud satisfaction for the insult. He also summoned the 
congress to meet, and take the subject into consideration. 

The act of the naval officer was promptly disavowed by 
the British government, who also forbade the right of search, 
which they claimed, to be extended to ships of war; but as 
no adequate reparation was offered, this outrage remained 
unforgiven ; and contributed to keep alive the hostile feeling 
already excited by the aggressions of the British on our com- 
merce. 

By his Berlin decree of 1806, Napoleon had forbidden the 
introduction of any English goods to the continent of Europe, 
even in neutral vessels, and shut the harbours of France 
against any vessel that should touch at an English port. The 
Euglish, in retaliation, first prohibited the trade of neutrals 
from port to port, belonging to their enemy ; and afterwards 
declared tlie whole coast of Europe in a state of blockade, 
prohibiting neutrals altogether from trade with the continent. 

Napoleon, on learning that this measure had been adopted, 
thundered forth his famous Milan decree, confiscating not 
only the vessels that should touch at a British port, but such 
as should submit to be searched by the English. This was 
carrying hostilities to an extreme on both sides. The great 
powers of the land and sea, unable to measure their strength, 
since each was predominant on its own element, came to vent 
their blows upon America. 

It was in vain that the government of the United States 
expostulated with them. To England it denied having sub- 
mitted to the decrees of the French ruler; to the latter it 
represented the indefeasible rights of neutrals. 'Join with 
me in bringing England to reason,' was the reply of Napoleon, 



What was the effect of this outrage 

on the American people ? 
What was done by the president ? 
By the British government ? 
What was the effect of Napoleon's 

Berlin decree ? 



Of the English retaliatory order in 
council ? 

Of the Milan decree of the emperor ? 

What did the government of the Uni- 
ted States represent to England ? 

To Napoleon ? 

What was his reply ? 



344 



THE EMBARGO. 



who was blind to all objects ^^nd reasons, but that of humbling 
his arcli-eneiny. America was, in consequence, left to choose 
which of the belligerents she would take for an enemy, since 
both at once might prove too powerful for her, and neutrality, 
persevered in, only exposed her vessels to capture without 
retaliation — to the disadvantages, in fact, without the advan- 
tages of war. 

Tlie American ships being so much exposed to capture, 
congress, in December, 1807, decreed an embargo, or prohi- 
bition to American vessels to leave their ports ; a measure 
which operated far more to the disadvantage of England and 
of American merchants, than of France. Mr. Jeflerson, in 
his correspondence, acknowledges this to have been a measure 
preparatory to war, allowing the merchants to recall home 
their ships and sailors, and the country to put itself in a pos- 
ture of defence. The embargo caused much distress, and 
many murmurs, especially in the New England slates ; but 
the edict was rigidly enforced by the government. 

During the year 1808, no progress was made towards an 
accommodation. To demands made by the United States of 
both the great European rivals, to recall their obnoxious de- 
crees, France made no answer, whilst Mr. Canning returned 
one that was considered insulting. In the mean time, the 
distress in the United States, occasioned by the embargo, 
became so great as to occasion a considerable defection from 
the government party. In New Enghnui, particularly, the 
federalists acquired a decided majority, and Massachusetts 
boldly remonstrated against the edict, and recommended its 
repeal. 

In the autumn of 1808, 'Sir. JefTerson having signified his 
intention of retiring from ollice at the expiration of his 
second term, James Madison was elected to succeed him, 
and George CHnton was re-elected to the ofiice of vice-pre- 
sident. In March, 1809, he retired to his farm at Monticello, 
to pass the remainder of his life in literary leisure, and the 
society of a large circle of admiring friends, who were con- 
stantly repairing to his residence to interchange the offices of 
kindness and attention. 

The following remarks on the character of Jefferson are 



What altprnntivc hnd tlie Americans ? 

When w;is the ombargo law passed .' 

Wlrit was its ellort > 

AVliat passed in ISOS ? 

What change took place in conse- 



quence of the distress caused by 

tiie emtiargo f 
Wlien dill Jeirerson retire from office? 
Who was rlecled to succeed him ? 
Whither did he retire .' 



CHARACTER OF JEFFERSON'. 345 

from a foreign writer, who appears to express himself with 
impartiality on American events and characters : — 

' However secondary the name and fame of Jefferson may 
seem to those classic ones of the revolution — Washington 
and Franklin — his intinence is likely to he much more con- 
siderable and permanent than that of these memorable per- 
sons. Their efforts, in conjunction with his, were directed 
to the great general task of freedom and independence ; but, 
in addition to this, Jefferson has founded a school of political 
principle and party, which has swallowed up all others in the 
United States, and which is likely to be professed more or 
less by every free people. His principles are those, no 
doubt, of the French republicans ; but their short-lived and 
stormy reign never allowed time for the development of a 
principle. They proclaimed them, but had not time to act 
upon them, before they were cut down. But Jefferson stood 
long enough, and wrote, and spoke, and overcame, so as to 
infuse his own spirit into the majority. He exists, indeed, 
in history, as a model of a republican statesman — bold and 
levelling in his principles, and shrinking from none of their 
consequences. From some of these, from both perhaps, the 
monarchist of Europe may shrink. But argument is idle on 
such a subject; the great phenomenon is there, and, though 
yet incomplete, the experiment is in progress. The political 
government that Jeff'erson conceived is realised in that of the 
United States ; and should it prove a happy one, durable, 
prosperous, and great, (and there is every prospect of its 
continuing, as there is proof of its being so,) it will be 
vain to find fault with the principles wljich have given birth 
to such a state. Of Jefferson's private honesty there is irre- 
fragable proof. The property of one who had been the 
greater part of his life either the minister or the sovereign 
of his country, was sold to pay his debts.' 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

COMMENCEMENT OF MADISOn's ADMINISTRATION. 

The public services of Mr. Madison had fully entitled him 
to the first office of the state. We have seen that he was 



What character is ascribed to Jeffer- I What \y^ the character of Mr. Ma- 
son ? I disonr 



346 



MISSIONS OF ERSKINE AND JAIKSOK. 



one of the first auUiors of Uie federal constitution, and h&d 
been moot active in recommending it to the adoption of lii.s 
countrymen. His subsequent career had not been marked as 
that of a partisan. He was declared to want the strong anti- 
British feeling of his predecessor, and it was now confidenlly 
hoped, that an accommodation between the United Slates and 
the leading maritime power of Europe might speedily take 
place. 

In March, 1809, the embargo law was repealed, and an 
act passed prohibiting all intercourse between this country 
iind botli France and Great Britain. A provision was in- 
serted in this non-intercourse law, that if eidier of the bel- 
ligerent nations should revoke her hostile edicts, the law 
should cea^e to be in force with respect to that nation. 

The repeal of the embargo, and the substitution of a less 
■obnoxious act, offered a fit and favourable pretext for renew- 
ing negotiations. Mr. Erskine was accordingly sent out by 
the British government to treat, and considering the suspen- 
sion of the non-intercourse a fair equivalent for that of the 
orders in council, he stipulated that the orders should cease 
to be in force at a certain epoch. The president, accord- 
ingly, suspended the non-intercourse. But tidings no sooner 
reached England of the act of Mr. Erskine, than he was 
disavowed. The orders in council were suspended only so 
far as not to endanger those vessels which had sailed from 
America on the faith of Mr. Erskine's declaration. The pre- 
sident, in consequence, declared the non-intercourse act still 
in force, and the silent war of prohibitory edicts continued 
on its old footing. 

Mr. Erskine was recalled, and Mr. Jackson sent in his 
place. The latter was ill chosen, sine* there was some 
cause which rendered him particularly obnoxious to the Ame- 
ricans. He was coldly received, and made to wait even for 
his recognition for some time. His endeavours to renew the 
negotiation were met by the remark of the inutility of such 
an attempt, and by an allusion to the duplicity of the British 
government in the nfTair of Erskine. Jackson retorted with 
warmth, and insinuated that the American government were, 



When was the embargo law re- 
pealed ? 

What was substituted for it ? 

Who was sent out by the British 
government to negotiate ? 

What did he ofTer ? ' 

What was done by the president ? 

Mow did the British gd^frnment 



elude the perfoimance of tlieir en- 

pacjemcnts made by Mr. Erskine ? 
What was tlien done by the pre-iident? 
Wlio was sent out by England ia 

place of Mr. 1-^rskine ? 
How was he received ? 
What passed between him and our 

government ? 



RELATIONS WITH EXGLAKD AND FR'ANCK, S47 

at the time of his negotiation, aware that Erskine had ex- 
ceeded his powers, and that his acts would not be sanctioned 
by his government. Tiiis charge being promptly denied 
and insultingly repeated, further communication with Jack- 
son was declined, and his recall demanded of the minister in 
London. 

France having been applied to by America at this time, 
the emperor replied, that his decrees were but retaliation ,' 
and that if England recalled her blockade and her orders in 
council, he would sufler his decrees to be considered null. 
Mr. Madison, availing himself of this fair oft'er of Napoleon, 
obtained from congress resolutions approving his high tone 
of policy towards England. 

Preparations for war continued with activity; and the 
people already began to turn their attention and activity 
towards the domestic production of those manufactures which 
had been heretofore supplied by England ; and the English 
began to seek elsewhere those commodities which the United 
States liad furnished. She sought them in Canada chiefly. 
The alienation and mutual injury thus worked by commercial 
prohibitions were, perhaps, greater than could have come of 
actual war. 

The non-intercourse act expiring in 1810, the Americans 
again summoned the two powers to remove their restrictions. 
This was asked with the manifest purpose of declaring war 
if the restrictions were not removed. Napoleon replied by 
an amicable advance, intimating through his minister, that 
his decrees should be suspended. It was understood by him, 
of course, that America should no longer submit to the orders 
in council if unrepealed. 

To the English ministry an appeal was now made to fol- 
low the example of France. Unfortunately for them, they 
hesitated, chicaned as to the supposed insincerity of the 
French declaration, or the informality of its announcement, 
and persisted in enforcing the orders in council. Mr. Pinck- 
ney, the American envov in London, disgusted at this shuf- 
fling behaviour of the British government, demanded his 
audience of leave. 

Li this doubtful state of connection between America and 
England, another accidental collision took place between 



Between our government and Na- I What was done in 1819 ? 

poleon ? What wis ottered by-Napoleon ? 

How did the Americans prepare for How did the English ministry be- 

•war .' have .' 

The Britisli P 



348 AFFAIR OF THE LITTLE BELT. 

vessels of the respective countries, tending much to inflame 
and widen the existing difTerences. An English sloop^ of war, 
the Little Belt, commanded by Captain Bingham, descried a 
ship ofl" the American coast, and made sail to come up with 
it; but finding it a frigate, and dubious of its nation, he re- 
tired. The other, which proved to be American, the Presi- 
dent, under Captain Rogers, pursued in turn. The American 
captain hailed, and, instead of an answer, received a shot in 
his mainmast. He returned the fire, and speedily silenced 
the guns of his adversary, disabling his ship and killing thirty- 
two of his men. 

In April, 1811, a settlement was made at the month of 
Columbia river, under the auspices of Mr. Astor, of New 
York, to which the name of Astoria was given. Its object 
was the opening of the fur trade and the formation of an 
extensive American colony. The \yar, which ensued next 
year, occasioned it.s abandonment. A full account of thi.s 
undertaking is given in Washington Irving's "Astoria." 

In November congress assembled, and the president ad- 
dressed it fully respecting the points and consequences of the 
still widening difference. It was hoped, he said, at the close 
of the last session, that the confirmation of the extinction of 
the French decrees would have induced the government of 
Great Britain to repeal its orders in council : on the contrary, 
however, they had been put into more vigorous execution ; 
and fresh outrages had been committed on the American coasts. 

Congress, convinced of tlie necessity of preparing in earnest 
for war, voted an increase of the regular army to 35,000 men ; 
augmented the navy, and empowered the president to accept 
of the services of volunteers, call out the militia, as occasion 
might require, and borrow eleven millions of dollars. 

In his message to congress, the president adverted to a new 
spirit of hostility displayed among the north-western Indians. 
This was attributed to the influence of the Britisli. It was 
also stimidatcd by the exertions of an Indian prophet, a re- 
former, who preached to his red brethern, that all their disas- 
ters had been owing to their having forsaken the wise and 
simple habits of their ancestors ; and that lie had been prompted 
by the Great Spirit to warn them from mingling with the 
whites, from eating hogs and bullocks in lieu of the game 

What was the consequence .' What was done by congress ? 

Give an account of the affair of the What is said of the Indians ? 

Little Belt. Of their pro))hct i" 

What is said of Mr. Foster's mission ? What was tlie substance of his hanii'* 
What was declared by the president gues ■" 

to congress P 



henry's mission. 349 

that used to give them the warrior's and the hunter's spirit ; 
and, above all, from the use of ardent spirits. This last wise 
injunction gave force and plausibility to all that the savage 
uttered. His fanatic advice, however salutary in one respect, 
necessarily produced hatred towards the whites, and outrages 
upon them. Many afiirmed that the hostile spirit thus ex- 
cited was directed by the British against the Americans. 

In the autumn of 1811, General Harrison was sent into the 
country of these hostile Indians, to treat or fight with them, 
as occasion might require. On the 6ih of November, being 
arrived at Tippecanoe, their chief settlement, he was met by 
a deputation from the chiefs, who stipulated that no attack 
should be made before the next day, when they would be 
ready for a friendly conference. 

In the night the American camp was suddenly and furiously 
assaulted by the Indians ; but the Americans having suspected 
treachery and slept on their arms, made a gallant resistance, 
defeated and dispersed the enemy, and burnt their town, not, 
however, without a severe loss in killed and wounded. 

In the month of February, 1812, Captain John Henry, 
formerly of the United States army, and afterwards resident 
in Canada, gave information to the president, that in 1809 he 
had been employed by Sir James Craig, the governor of Ca- 
nada, upon a secret mission to the New England states, for 
the purpose of gaining information of the state of parties, and 
inducing those who were opposed to the restrictions of the 
American government on commerce, to effect a separation of 
the northern states from the Union, and form a political con- 
nection between those states and Great Britain. For this 
information Henry was paid $50,000, from the contingent 
fund for foreign intercourse. He furnished ample document- 
ary evidence of the truth of his disclosures, which was after- 
wards fully corroborated by developements made in the 
British parliament. But his mission had entirely failed, and 
it did not appear that he had succeeded in bringing any indi- 
vidual in this country to adopt his views. His motive for 
disclosure was the failure of his employers to compensate 
him for his services. This affair proved the hostile disposi- 
tion of the government of Great Britain towards the United 
States, and served to increase the irritation already created in 



When was General Harrison sent 

against the Indians ? 
Where did he meet their chiefs ? 
What took place in the night ? 

30 



What was the result of the battle ? 
Who was John Henry ? 
Give an account of his mission. 
Of his discloKure and its result. 



350 



WAR DECLARED. 



tliis country, by the injuries inflicted on our commerce, and 
the impressment of our seamen. 

Preparations for war were still actively coiltiiiuetl by con- 
gress until the 20ih of May, 1812, when the arrival of the 
Hornet, from London, bringing information that no reasonable 
prospect existed of a change in the measures of the British 
government, served to bring matters to a crisis. On the 1st 
of June the president transmitted to congress a message enu- 
merating the injuries received from Great Britain, and submit- 
ting the question, whether they should be longer endured, or 
immediate recourse had to the ultimate resort of injured na- 
tions, a declaration of war. 

After deliberating on this measure with closed doors, an act 
was passed by congress, on the 18th, declaring war against 
Great Britain. The immediate effect of this measure was a 
violent exasperation of parties, the friends of government ap- 
plauding the act, as spirited and patriotic, and the opposition 
condemning it as unnecessary, unjustifiable, and impolitic. 
In the New England states, particularly where the revolu- 
tionary war found its most active supporters, the most decisive 
opposition was manifested, and every effort was used on the 
part of the political leaders to render the war unpopular, and 
to embarrass the government in its prosecution. 

Some of those, who op])oscd the war, held that it was 
both unjustifiable and inexpedient; while others allowed that 
abundant provocation had been given, but denied that the 
nation was sufficiently prepared for the conflict. 'I'he mino- 
rity of congress, the legislatures of Massachusetts, Connecticut 
and New Jersey, and several of the commercial cities, pro- 
tested against the war in public addresses. But a majority 
of the people of the United States was undoulitedly in favour 
of the measure. In some places the act, declaring it, was 
received with illuminations and rejoicings, and the cities of 
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, passed resolutions 
approving of the conduct of government, and pledging them- 
selves to support it. 

The popular voice was so strongly in favour of war in the 
city of Baltimore, that an editor who had ventured to indulge 
in some severe strictures on the conduct of the government, 
had his press and printing oflice destroyed by the populace ; 



What information was received in 

May ? 
Wtiat was done b}- the president ? 
When was war declared ? 
What was the olfect of this measure ' 



Wliat is said of Npw England ? 
Wlio protested against the war ? 
Who favoured it > 
What took place in Baltimore ? 



NEW ENGLAND OPPOSED TO THE WAR. 



351 



and when he persisted in publishing the paper, printing it in 
a neighbouring town, he and a party of his friends who had 
volunteered in forcibly defending his house, were very se- 
verely handled. Several lives were lost in this affair, and 
among the rest that of General Lingan, a veteran officer, who 
had served with distinction in the revolution. 

The distress occasioned among the people of New England 
by the suspension of their commerce and the cutting off of 
their usual supply of provisions from the south, served still 
further to heighten the exasperation felt in that portion of the 
country. A large proportion of the commercial interest ia 
other parts of the Union participated in this feeling, so that, 
although a numerical majority of the people of the United 
States was in favour of the measure, it by no means united 
the various classes of society so strongly in support of the 
government as the attack on their liberties had done at the 
opening of the revolutionary contest. Whatever disagree- 
ment there might be, however, among the political parties of 
that period, time has afforded ample evidence that the war 
was not declared too soon for the national honour or welfare. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



CAMPAIGN OF 1812. 



When the war of independence was commenced, the 
United States contained less than four millions of inhabitants, 
and had neither an army, a treasury, or a national existence. 
But it possessed a people united in purpose, and firmly re- 
solved to vindicate their rights. At the opening of the war 
of 1812, the country had eight millions of inhabitants, great 
resources of wealth, and all the elements of an efficient army 
and navy. But the people were divided in sentiment, indis- 
posed for war by a long continuance of peace, and unfit for 
its successful prosecution by inexperience and irresolution. 
Their early movements in the new contest were marked by a 
character of indecision corresponding with this want of pre- 
paration. It was not till near the close of the conflict that 



What is said of New England ■• 
Of the commercial interest ? 
Of the people ? Of the war ? 



What is said of the war of independ- 
ence ? 
Of the war of 1812? 



352 



MILITARY FORCE OF THE COUNTRY. 



the national spirit was fully roused ; and the results at that 
period were such as to show that when fairly and heartily 
embarked in a contest, the people possess the saine spirit and 
the same moral power which carried them so nobly through 
the struggle for indej)endence. 

in organising the army, Henry Dearborn of Massachusetts 
was appointed major general and commander in chief. He 
had served in the revolutionary contest, and had subsequently 
borne the office of secretary of war. Thomas Pinckney of 
South Carolina also received a commission as major general, 
and Wilkinson, Hampton, Bloomfield, and Hull were among 
the brigadier generals. 

The army which until the year 1808 had numbered no 
more than 3,000 men, had then been augmented to 6,000. In 
January, 1812, congress had directed a force of upwards of 
25,000 to be raised, so that the entire force authorised by 
law, now exceeded 35,000, including officers ; consisted of 
25 regiments of infantry, 3 of artillery, 2 of light artillery, 
2 of dragoons, and 2 rifle regiments. In addition to this, 
the president was authorised to accept the services of any 
number of volunteers, not ex'ceeding fifty thousand, who were 
to be armed and equipped by the United States; and a similar 
authority was given to him to call upon the governors of states 
for detachments of militia, the whole of which was not to 
exceed 100,000. 

Though apparently formidable, this force wanted many of 
the requisites of an efficient army. The act authorising the 
raising of 25,000 men, had been passed so short a time be- 
fore the declaration of war, that scarcely one fourth of that 
number was enlisted ; and these were by no means in a liigh 
state of discipline. The volunteers and militia were yet to 
be called for, as occasion mi^ht require, and their services 
were considered of very doubtful utility. Even in the revo- 
lutionary war, they liad been pronounced by high authority, 
a most inefficient species of force, and the long peace had 
certainly not increased their efficiency. The officers, how- 
ever, who had the direction of the military force, liad served 
with distinction, and high hopes were entertained of a suc- 
cessful caiupaign. 

The whole navy of the United States consisted of but 10 
frigates, 5 of which were laid up in ordinary, 10 sloops 



Who w:i8 appointed commander in 

cliicf? 
Who were among the other generals f 



What was the military force of the 

country ? 
What were its deficiencies ? 
What is said of the navy ? 



GENERAL HULL's EXPEDITION. 353 

and smaller vessels, and 165 gun boats, only 60 of which 
were in commission. With this trifling force, war was com- 
menced with a power that numbered a thousand sliips afloat, 
and boasted herself the mistress of the ocean. The com- 
merce and fisheries of the United States, however, had given 
her the elements of a navy ; and if the Americans had not 
many ships, subsequent events proved that they had men ; 
and that the efiiciency of a navy depends more upon dis- 
cipline and courage than upon the size and number of its 
vessels. 

The plan of operations at the commencement of the war, 
was to garrison and defend the sea-board principally by oc- 
casional calls on the militia, aided by a few of the regular 
troops, the whole to be under the direction of the generals 
of the regular army, stationed at the most important points. 
The remaining regular troops, with such volunteers as could 
be procured and a portion of the militia, were to attack the 
British posts in Upper Canada and subdue them, with the 
ultimate design of invading and conquering Lower Canada. 

With these views, William Hull, the governor of Michigan 
territory, having been appointed a brigadier general, on the 
85th of May, took command of the army destined for the 
invasion of Canada. On the 1st of June, he rendezvoused 
at Urbanna, in Ohio. His force consisted of 500 regular 
troops, and 1,200 Ohio volunteers, under the command of 
Colonels M'Arthur and Cass. Proceeding in a north-west- 
erly direction, the army marched through a wilderness to 
Detroit, the capital of Michigan territory, situated on the 
west bank of Detroit river. 

On his arrival at this place. General Hull was joined by 
the Michigan militia; and expecting the co-operation of Ge- 
neral Dearborn on the Niagara frontier, he made his descent 
on Canada on the 12th of July. He crossed the river and 
established his head quarters at Sandwich, a village on the 
opposite bank. Here he issued a proclamation, ofl'ering 
peace and protection to the Canadians who would remain at 
home, and threatening extermination to such as should be 
found in arms associated with the Indians. He further de- 
clared that he commanded a force sufficient to ' look down all 
opposition,' which was but the van of a much greater force. 



What was the plan of operations ? 
Who commanded on the north-west 

em frontier ? 
What was his force ? 

30 



Whither did he first march ? 
When did he enter Canada ? 
What is said of his proclamation ? 



354 



GOVERNOR BROCK S PROCLAMATION. 



In consequence of this proclamation, several hundred Cana- 
dian militia joined the Americans, or returned to their homes 
under General Hull's protection. 

Meantime the British had collected a considerable force 
of Canadians and Indians, and strengthened tlieir garrison 
at Maiden. 

Excepting some skirmishing parties under the command 
of Colonels M'Arthur and Cass, nothing was done to pro- 
mote the objects of the invasion till August 8th ; General 
Hull remaining during the interval in his encampment at 
Sandwich. He then gave orders for the main body to re-cross 
tlie river and retire to Detroit, abandoning tiie Canadians who 
had accepted his protection, to the vengeance of their own 
government, and disgusting his own men with his inertness 
and pusillanimity. 

Towards the last of July, a reinforcement of 150 volun- 
teers from Ohio, under Captain Brush, who had been ordered 
to join General Hull, arrived at the river Raisin, 36 miles 
below Detroit. Here they were ordered to await an escort 
from the camp. Two hundred militia, under Major Vanhorn, 
being sent on this service, fell into an ambuscade of Indians, 
and were obliged to retreat, with the loss of 17 killed and 30 
Avounded, 

On the 8th of August, a detachment of 600 men, under 
Colonel Miller, being despatched on the same service, were 
attacked by a large body of British and Indians within 14 
miles of Detroit. The enemy was gallantly resisted, and 
compelled to retreat with a heavy loss ; but the detachment 
returned to Detroit on the 10th, without elTecting its object. 

While these events were passing, General Brock, the 
governor of Canada, had been making active preparations 
for its defence. He issued a proclamation in answer to that 
of General Hull, reminding the Canadians of their previous 
prosperity and freedom under the British government, and 
calling upon them to join his standard. This address was 
not without effect. The Canadians joined the governor in 
great ninul)ers, and on the I3th of August, General Brock 
arrived at Maiden with a respectable force, just after the Arae- 



What was its cfTt'ct .' 

AVliprp were tlie Hiitisli forces posted? 

Wlioio <li(l riPiieral Hull remain till 

Aii;;ii';t Sih ' 
What (111 ho then do ' 
\N hat had L'fen done in July ? 



Who were sent to escort Captain 
Brush's reinforcement to the camp? 
What was the result ? 
Who was next sent? 
What ensue. 1 ' 

What wis done by General Brock? 
When did he arrive at Maiden ? 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL HULL. 



355 



rican troops had retired from the Canadian shore, dispirited, 
and disgusted with their commander. On the 15th, General 
Brock erecled batteries on the bank, of the river opposite 
Detroit, and summoned the American general to surrender; 
stating tliat he should otherwise be unable to restrain the In- 
dians from committing their usual atrocities. This summons 
was answered by a refusal, and a declaration that the fortress 
would be defended to the last extremity. The firing from 
the fortifications on both sides now commenced, and con- 
tinued with little efl'ect till the next day. 

General Hull had by this time become so much alarmed, 
as to betray his cowardice to his own officers and men, by 
his appearance and his hasty and irregular measures. On 
the r2lh the field oflicers had determined to arrest him, and 
were only prevented by the absence of Colonels Cass and 
M'Arlhur, who had been detached with 400 men on a third 
expedition to the river Raisin. On the 15th they received 
orders to return. 

On the 16th the British troops began to cross the river to 
the American side three miles below the town, under cover 
of two ships of war. Having landed, they commenced their 
inarch towards the fort. Besides the fourth regiment of re- 
gular troops stationed in the fort, it was protected by the 
Ohio volunteers, and a part of the Michigan militia, placed 
behind the pickets where the whole flank of the British would 
have been exposed to their fire. The remainder of the 
militia were stationed in the town of Detroit, for the purpose 
of resisting the desultory attacks of the savages. Two four 
pounders, loaded with grape, were planted on an eminence 
ready to sweep the advancing columns. M'Arthur and Cass, 
on their return from the expedition on which they had been 
ordered, had arrived within view of Detroit, and were ready 
to attack the enemy on the rear. There was every reason to 
anticipate a victory, and the troops were eagerly expecting 
the commencement of the battle. 

When the British columns were within 500 yards of the 
American line. General Hull ordered the troops to retire info 
the fort, and the artillery not to fire. A white flag was then 
hoisted, and a British officer rode up to inquire the cause. 
A communication was opened between the commanding gene- 



Whnl was done by General Brock on 

the 15th ? 
By General Hull > 
What prevented his arrest ? 
What was done on the 16th ? 



What means of defence had the gar- 
rison ? 
What dispositions were made ? 
What was done by General Hull ? 



356 TRIAL OF OENEBAL HVlA.. 

rals, which speedily terminated in a capitulation. The fortress 
of Detroit, with the garrison, and munitions of war, were 
surrendered. The detachment under Cass and M'Arthur, 
and even the troops at the river Raisin, were included in the 
capitulation. Captain Brush, however, not considering him- 
self bound by Hull's engagement, on being summoned to 
surrender, broke up his camp and retreated towards Ohio. 
The Canadians who had joined Hull, or accepted his protec- 
tion, were abandoned to their fate, and many of them were 
subsequently executed as traitors. 

Every circumstance which could heighten the disgrace of 
a surrender was found in the present instance. Hull did not 
even call a council of his officers. His only object seems to 
have been to escape from the Indian scalping knife. AVhen 
he had first entered Canada the British had at Maiden but 100 
regular troops, 400 Canadian militia, and a few hundred In- 
dians. After General Brock's arrival, their whole force was 
330 regulars, 400 militia, and 600 Indians, The army sur- 
rendered by General Hull amounted to 2,500 men, of whom 
1,200 were militia. 

The indignation of the Americans at this disgraceful trans- 
action knew no bounds. When the arrogant proclamation of 
Hull was contrasted with his subsequent indecisive and timid 
movements, and his ultimate abandonment of all manhood or 
decency, bis whole conduct was regarded with a unanimous 
feeling of derision and contempt. The government of course 
brought him to trial by court martial as soon as he was ex- 
changed. He was charged with treason, cowardice, and 
neglect of duty, found guilty of the two latter charges, and 
sentenced to be shot. In consideration of former services his 
life was spared. The trial did not take place till 1814, but 
it is mentioned in this connection, in order that the whole 
affair may be dismissed as speedily as possible from the 
reader's notice. 

The surrender of Hull left the north-western frontier ex- 
posed to the incursions of the British and Indians, and occa- 
sioned considerable alarm in the neighbouring states. Nearly 
ten thousand volunteers immediately oflercd their services to 
the government; and being placed under the command of 
General William II. Harrison, marched towards the territory 



Whit was stirrciulprcd ? 

Whit is sail! of Captain Ikush ' 

Of tlie Canadi'ins > 

What was tlic Hiitish force ? 

What was General Hull's ' 



How was his conduct regarded ? 
How was he punished > 
What was now ihe state of the north- 
western frontier ? 
Who commanded the army there f 



GENERAL SMYTH S OPERATIONS. 



357 



of Michigan. This force, however, was not sufficiently dis- 
ciplined to act with the efficiency of regidar troops, and before 
any thing coidd be done towards retrieving the important 
losses of the early part of the cannpaign, the winter set in. 
Their operations were cliiefly confined to incursions into the 
country of the Indians, who had generally become hostile. 

General Van Rensselaer, of the New York, militia, had 
command of what was called the army of the centre, destined 
also for the invasion of Canada. His force consisted of re- 
gulars and militia, who were assembled at Lewislown, on the 
Niagara river. On the opposite side of the river was a forti- 
fied British post, called Qiieenslown, which was the first 
object of attack. On the 13lh of October a deiachment of 
1,000 men, led by Colonel Van Rensselaer, crossed the river 
and eff"ected a landing under a heavy fire from the British. 

In the onset the colonel was wounded ; and the troops 
under Colonels Christie and Scott were led on to the assault 
of the fortress. They succeeded in capturing it; and a 
reinforcement of 600 men, under General Brock, arriving and 
attacking the victors, were repulsed with the loss of their 
commander. 

General Van Rensselaer had crossed the river, and now 
returned to bring over a reinforcement of the Americans. 
But his troops refused to obey the order ; and the British, 
receiving another reinforcement, recaptured the fort after a 
severe engagetiient, in which the greater part of Colonel Van 
Rensselaer's deiachment was destroyed. 

General Van Rensselaer now retired from the service, and 
"was succeeded by General Smyth, of Virginia. He com- 
menced operations by issuing a proclamation addressed to the 
' men of New York,' and couched in terms similar to'those 
employed by General Hull. He was soon at the head of an 
army of 4,500 men ; and the 28th of November was the day 
appointed for crossing the river for the third invasion of Ca- 
nada. The troops were embarked, but the enemy appearing 
on the opposite shore with a determined front, a council of 
war was held, and the invasion was postponed till the 1st of 
December, when, although 1,500 of the men were ready and 
willing to cross the river, a second council of war decided 



What was done in that quarter ? 
Who commanded the army of the 

centre ? 
When did he attack Queenstown ? 
What success did he have in the first 

attack ? 



What prevented his ultimate success ? 

Who succeeded General Van Rens- 
selaer ? 

Describe his operations. 

What was done by General Dear- 
born ? 



358 NAVAL VICTORIES. 

that it was inexpedient to proceed, and tlie troops were again 
debarked. The invasion of Canada at that point was thus 
finally abandoned for the season. 

The army of the north was commanded by General Dear- 
born. A part of the forces were stationed at Greenbush, near 
Albany, and the remainder at Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain. 
This division of the army effected nothing but an incursion 
into Canada, in which a small body of British and Indians, 
and some military stores were taken. The failure of the 
other expeditions had the effect of discouraging the general 
from any serious attempt on the British territory. 

Thus upon land the advantages of the first campaign rested 
altogether with the British. It was at sea, on the element 
where they felt more secure, that their superiority was more 
successfully disputed. On thfi 19th of August, (Captain Hull, 
in the frigate Constitution, of 44 guns, encountered the British 
frigate Guerriere, of 38 guns, and after an action of 30 minutes 
reduced her to a complete wreck. Every mast of the British 
vessel \v^s carried away in the battle, and, as it was found 
impossible to bring her into port, she was burned. The loss 
on the side of the enemy was 50 killed, and 64 wounded. 
The Constitution lost 7 killed, and 7 wounded. This victory 
was hailed with enthusiasm by all parties. Even the oppo- 
nents of the war united in the honours and rewards which 
were conferred on the successful commander, and gave enter- 
tainments and drank toasts to the success of the ' infant navy.' 

This was followed by a series of naval victories not less 
brilliant. In the month of October, Captain Jones, in the 
Wasp, of 18 guns, met and captured the British sloop of war 
Frolic, of 22 guns, after a hard fought battle of 45 minutes, 
losing but 8 of his men, while the loss of his enemy in a 
vessel one-third his superior was 80 men. The Wasp was 
subsequently captured by a British ship of the line. During 
the same month, (Captain Decatur, in the frigate United Slates, 
encountered the British frigate Macedonian. In this action 
the American ship had a trifling advantage in the weight of 
her metal, but this was by no means equal to the disparity of 
loss, which was 104 killed and wounded on the British side, 
and 1 1 on the American. The Macedonian was safely brought 
into New York, and the gallant Decatur, the same officer who 
had so signally distinguished himself at Tripoli, was welcomed 
with the applause and honours which he had so nobly won. 



Describe the first naval victory. 
Describe the affair of the Wasp and 
the Frolic. 



Of the United States anil the Macedo- 
nian. 
Decatur's reception at New York. 



INCREASE OF THE NAVY. 



36d 




Constitution and Guerriere. 



The Constitution, familiarly called by the sailors ' Old 
Ironsides,' iiad the good fortune to encounter another British 
frigate, the Java, of 38 guns, in December. In this action, 
which lasted three hours, she was commanded by Captain 
Bainbridge. The Java was dismasted and reduced to a wreck, 
losing 161 killed and wounded, while the American loss was 
but 34. 

In addition to these victories of the public vessels, the Ame- 
rican privateers had succeeded in severely distressing the 
enemy's commerce, capturing above 500 of their merchantmen 
during the first seven months of the war. 

The success of the Americans on the ocean served to re- 
lieve them from the chagrin and discouragement occasioned 
by their ill-fated attempts on the British province of Canada. 
They became sensible that their principal means of defence 
must consist in the navy; and the exertions of the government 
were immediately directed to the increase of this efficient 
branch of the national force. The large number of sailors, de- 
prived of employment by the general suspension of commerce, 
furnished the first and most important requisite, and more 
ships were ordered to be built and put in commission. 

Meantime the opposition to the measures of government 
made by the federal party in New England, was by no means 
relaxed. They criticised and protested against the war with 
England, pointed out the advantages which would have ac- 
crued from one with France, declared their abhorrence of any 
alliance with Napoleon, reprobated the conduct of government 



Of the Constitution and the Java. 
What was the consequence of these 
victories ? 



What measures were taken respect- 
ing the navy > 
What was done in New England ? 



360 



ARMISTICE OFFERED. 



in persisting in war after llie revocation of the orders in council, 
and asserted it to be unconsliliitioiial and illegal to employ the 
militia of the states in uffensive warfare. On llie last ground, 
Massachusetts and Conneciicut had refused to furnish their 
contingent of troops for the invasion of Canada. The friends 
of government stigmatised this opposition as treason, and by 
their votes at the election gave decided testimony of their 
approbation of the war. 

The presidential election took place in the autumn of this 
year. Mr. Madison was, without difficulty, re-elected to his 
second term of office ; whilst Mr. Gerry became vice-presi- 
dent, succeeding Mr. Clinton. 

In November congress met. The president, in his message, 
frankly stated the defeats experienced on the Canadian border, 
and complained much of the employment of the Indians by 
the British, thus bringing the horrors of savage warfare upon 
the people. He also complained of the conduct of Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut, in refusing their contingent of 
militia. The victories of American ships were cited with 
just pride, and congress was requested to increase the allow- 
ance of the army, which was wholly incompetent. 

The British government had offiered an armistice, stating as 
a reason for a suspension of hostilities, the repeal of the 
orders in council. The president, in reply, had demanded 
by way of preliminary, towards a settlement of difficulties, 
some effectual provisions against the impressment of American 
seamen, and as this was refused, he had declined the offer. 
A majority of congress now passed resolutions approving of 
the president's course in tliis affair. 

His request for a more efficient organisation of the army 
was granted. The pay was increased, and a loan for the pur- 
pose authorised; and twenty additional regiments of regular 
infantry were ordered to be raised. 



What was the result of the presi- 
dential election ^ 

What was said in the president's 
message ? 



What measure of his was approved by 

congress ? 
What was doue for the army ? 



i 



BATTLE or THE RIVER RAISIN. 361 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1813. 

The people of the western states were naturally anxious to 
recover the posts which had been lost by General Hull on the 
north-western frontier; and thus to relieve themselves from 
the danger of incursions from the British and Indians in that 
region. During the autumn of 1812, General Harrison, who 
had command of the army in that quarter, was principally 
occupied in collecting and organising his forces preparatory to 
a winter campaign. Nothing of importance was effected, as 
we have already had occasion to remark, before the winter 
set in. 

General Winchester, with a detachment of seven hundred 
and fifty men, was sent forward in advance of the main body, 
and while General Harrison was collecting his forces at San- 
dusky, with a view to join Winchester, and advance upon 
Maiden and Detroit, the latter officer received a pressing call 
from the inhabitants of Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, for 
protection against the British and Indians assembled at Mai- 
den. Advancing within three miles of the town, on the 17th 
of January, he learnt that the enemy had already taken pos- 
session of it. He attacked them on the 18th, and drove them 
from their position with considerable slaughter. On the 20th 
he advanced to witbin twenty miles of Maiden, where a Bri- 
tish force much stronger than his own was stationed. 

General Winchester's desire to afford relief to the inhabi- 
tants of Frenchtown, had thus brought his detachment into a 
situation of no little peril. The expedition in which he wa3 
engaged had been undertaken without the knowledge of 
General Harrison, who, on learning his advance, sent for re- 
inforcements, and pushed forward with the main body in 
hopes of affording him relief. 

The British were not slow to perceive their advantage. 
On the evening of the 21st of January, Colonel Proctor left 
Maiden with six hundred British and Canadian troops, and 
one thousaiKl Indians, under the command of their chiefs, 
Splitlog and Roundhead, and at daybreak of the 22d, com- 



Who commanded on the north-west- 
ern frontier ? 
Who advanced into Canada ? 



31 



Where did he attack and defeat the 

British ? 
When was he attacked in turn ? 
By whom, and with what forc« ? 



302 



SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 



menced a furious attack upon the Americans. General Win- 
chester's left wing, amounting to six hundred men, was 
protected by pickets ; the right wing, one hundred and fifty 
in number, being exposed, was speedily defeated, and nearly 
the whole massacred by the Indians, who cut off their retreat. 
A detacliment of one hundred sent out to their relief shared 
the same 'fate. General Winchester and Colonel Lewis in 
attempting to rally them were made prisoners. The left wing 
sustained the unequal contest wiili undaunted vah)ur until 
eleven o'clock, when General Winchester capitulated for 
them, stipulating for their protection from the fury of the 
Indians. This engagement was violated on the next day, 
when a large body of Indians fell upon the wounded, toma- 
hawked and scalped them, and setting fire to the houses, 
consumed the dead and the dying in one undistinguished con- 
flagration. In permitting tliis massacre, Proctor seems to 
have counted on daunting the courage of the Americans. 
But the effect was directly the reverse of wiiat was intended. 
New volunteers, fired by tliese barbarities, flocked to the 
standard of their country, and were eventually successful in 
avenging their murdered fellow citizens. 

General Harrison, having received considerable reinforce- 
ments from Kentucky and Ohio, advanced to the rapids of 
the Miami, and there erected a fort wliich he called Fort 
Meigs, in honour of the governor of Ohio, 'i'his position had 
been selected as a suitable post for receiving reinforcements 
and supplies from Ohio and Kentucky, protecting the borders 
of Lake Erie, and concentrating the forces intended for the 
recapture of Detroit, and the invasion of Canada. 

On the 26th of April, General Proctor with two thousand 
regulars, militia and Indians, from Maiden, appeared on the 
bank of the river opposite the fort, and erecting batteries on an 
eminence, commenced a regular siege. The Indians crossed 
the river on the 27th and established themselves in the rear of 
the American lines. A heavy fire of shot and shells was 
poured in upon the fort for_ several days, and on the 3d of 
May, a battery was erected on the left bank of the river, 
within two hundred and fifty yards of the American lines. 

General Harrison now received a summons to surrender, 
which was gallantly refused. On the 5th of May, General 



Describe the battle. 
What was the result P 
How were the prisoners treated ? 
What was the effect of this conduct 
of the British ? 



What fort did General Harrison 

erect ,' 
Where ,? 
When and by whom was it besieged { 



SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS RAISED. 



363 



Clay, with twelve hundred Kentuckians, advanced to the 
relief of Fort Meigs, and, by a spirited attack, succeeded in 
driving the besiegers from their works. Eight hundred of 
his troops having subsequently dispersed in the woods, in 
pursuit of the Indians, were drawn into an ambuscade, and 
compelled to surrender. They were saved from massacre 
only by the decisive interference of the Indian chief Tecum- 
seh, who humanely restrained his followers from their usual 
atrocities. Of the eight hundred men only one hundred and 
fifty escaped, the remainder being slain or captured. General 
Proctor, seeing no prospect of taking the fort, and being de- 
serted by his Indian allies, who were heartily weary of the 
siege, abandoned his position on the 9th of May, and returned 
to Maiden. General Harrfson having repaired the fort, left 
it under command of General Clay, and returned to Ohio for 
reinforcements. Nothing further was attempted in this quarter 
until a naval force was ready for action on Lake Erie. 

The principal object of the campaign of 1813, on the Ca- 
nadian border, was the capture of Montreal. To effect this, 
it was essential to gain the command of Lake Ontario. 
Sackett's Harbour, on the east end of the lake, near its outlet, 
was selected as a naval depot ; and Commodore Chauncey 
had been occupied since the month of October, 1812, m 
building and equipping a squadron sufficiently powerful to 
cope with that of the enemy, which consisted of six vessels, 
mounting in all eighty guns. In this he was successful ; and 
having made several captures in the autumn of 1812, he was 
enabled, in the spring of the next year, to acquire the com- 
plete ascendancy on the lake, confining every British ship to 
the harbour of Kingston. 

General Dearborn had now under his command a respect- 
able force of six thousand men, composing the army of the 
north ; and as Montreal was in a comparatively defenceless 
state, and could receive no reinforcements until .Tune, it was 
his proper policy to have made an immediate descent upon 
that city. Unfortunately his exertions were directed to a 
mucli less important object. On the 23d of April he em- 
barked at Sackett's Harbour with sixteen hundred men, on an 
expedition against York, the capital of Upper Canada, situated 



Who advanced to its relief ? 
What success had General Clay ? 
What disaster followed ? 
When was the siege raised ' 
What was the chief object of the 
campaign of 1813 .' 



What preparation was made by Com- 
modore Chauncey ? 
What was General Dearborn's force ? 
What place should he have attacked ? 
What place did he attack ? 



364 ATTACK ON SACKETT's HARBOUR. 

at the head of Lake Ontario. On the 27th he arrived at his 
destination, and immediately commenced a disembarkation. 
Remaining on board the fleet, he entrusted the command to 
General Pike, who succeeded in landing, though opposed by 
a superior force of the enemy, who, after a severe action, 
were driven to their fortifications. The remainder of the 
forces having effected a landing, the Avhole army advanced to 
the assault, carried the first battery, and was approaching the 
main works, when a magazine of the British, prepared for the 
purpose, blew up wiih a tremendous explosion, destroying 
one hundred of the assailants. General Pike was mortally 
wounded by a stone which was thrown up by the explosion 
and struck him on the breast. 

He was immediately conveyed on board the commodore's 
ship, and soon expired. The troops paused a few moments 
at this unexpected catastrophe, but soon pressed forward 
and gained the possession of the town. The government hall 
was burned, contrary to the orders of the American general. 
The British lost 100 killed, and GOO wounded and prisoners. 
The Americans, 320 killed and wounded. The object of the 
expedition being attained, the fleet proceeded to Niagara, 
landed the troops, and returned to Sackett's Harbour. 

On embarking for York, General Dearborn had left Sackett's 
Harbour in rather a defenceless state. It was consequently 
attacked on the 29th of May, by the combined land and naval 
forces of the British, under fc>ir George Prevost and Sir James 
Yeo. General Brown, of the New York militia, had the 
chief command at the harbour. He detached Colonel Mills, 
with the militia and Albany volunteers, to oppose the enemy's 
landing. On their approach, the militia fired, without orders, 
and too soon to produce any effect, and then fled. Colonel 
Mills was slain in attempting to rally them. General Brown 
succeeded in rallying about 100, and fell upon the enemy's 
rear. The British advanced towards the village, and encoun- 
tering Colonel Backus, with the regular troops and a few 
militia, after a severe action were repulsed and driven to their 
boats. Lieutenant Chauncey, who had been ordered tci set 
fire to the store houses and barracks in case of defeat, antici- 
pated that result, and thus caused the loss of the supplies 
which were essential to the success of the campaign. Gene- 



Drsciibe the action. 
The ile-.ilh of General Pike. 
Wh.il followed > 

What phce had Dearborn left ex- 
posed / 



When was it attacked by Governor 

Prevost i" 
Dosciibe the action. 
What was the result f 



OPERATIONS ON THE NIAGARA FRONTIER. 



365 




Beatti of General Pike. 



ral Brown, in consequence of his services on this occasion, 
was appointed a brigadier in the regular army. 

While these events were passing at Sackett's Harbour, 
operations of some importance were taking place at the head 
of the lake. On the 27ih of May, a descent was made upon 
Fort George, on the British side of the Niagara river, which, 
after a warm resistance, was taken. On the 28th the garrison 
at Erie abandoned that fort to the Americans, and concentrat- 
ed their forces with those of the other British garrisons on 
the Niagara peninsula, beyond Burlington heights, about 40 
miles west of Fort George. Generals Chandler and AVinder 
were detached from Fort George with 1,000 men to attack 
them. They were met and repulsed, with the loss of both 
these officers captured ; and Sir James Yeo, arriving with 
his fleet, relieved the British, and compelled the Americans 
to return to the main army, with the loss of most of their 
artillery and baggage. A detachment of 570 men, under 
Lieutenant Colonel Boerstler, being sent soon after to attack 
a body of the enemy at Beaver Dams, was surrounded and 
captured. 

A second expedition, under the command of Colonel Scott, 
vva^ sent against the British post on Burlington heights, on 
the 28th of July. The landing took place on the 31st; but 
on reconnoitering the enemy's works, they were deemed too 
stroftg to be attacked with any prospect of success, and the 
troops were immediately re-embarked. On their return they 
put into York, burnt the barracks and public stores, and 
brought off one piece of ordnance and a quantity of flour. 

What fovt was taken on the 27th of I 

May ? 
What was done by the British on the 

2Sth ? 



31* 



Who were sent against them ? 
With what success ? 
What other disaster took place ? 
What unsuccessful expedition ? 



366 EXPEDITION AGAINST MONTREAL. 

During the time occupied by these operations, the British 
had prepared a liotilla, superior to tliat of the Americans, 
which enabled them to turn the advantage on Lake Ontario 
in their own favour. On the 7th of October, Sir James Yeo 
appeared with his fleet before Fort George, where Commo- 
dore Chauncey lay at anchor with his squadron. He imme- 
diately went out, and in a gale which happened on the night 
of the 8th, lost two of his schooners, with a greater part of 
their crews. On the lOlh, an action took place in which two 
of the American schooners were taken. The fleets then se- 
parated, neither party being willing to come to a decisive 
contest. 

Thus terminated the operations of the American forces on 
Lake Ontario, under the direction of General Dearborn. No- 
thing had been effected towards the successful termination of 
the campaign ; heavy losses had been sustained, and the only 
favourable opportunity for a descent on Montreal had been 
suff'ered to escape. The general had been most of the time 
an invalid, and had never appeared to lead his troops on any 
expedition. He was now superseded, and General Wilkinson 
called from the south to take his place. 

General Wilkinson arrived at Sackett's Harbour on the 1st 
of August ; the war department, under the direction of Gene- 
ral Armstrong, was removed to that place, and extensive pre- 
parations were commenced for a descent on Montreal. The 
army consisted of 8,000 men, but a period of three months 
elapsed before they were ready to descend the St. Lawrence 
on the expedition. This enabled the enemy to fortify every 
important point on the river; and when, on the 5th of No- 
vember, the flotilla set sail, their progress was disputed so 
obstinately, that it was found necessary to land a body of 
troops, under the command of General Brown, who proceeded 
in advance of the boats, to dislodge the enemy from his posts 
on the river. The rear division, under General Boyd, en- 
countered a party of equal force at Chrystler's fields, near 
Williamsburg, on the 10th of November. A spirited action 
ensued, in which the Americans, with considerable loss, suc- 
ceeded in driving the British from their position, and enabling 
the flotilla to pass unmolested. 



What was (lone on the lake ? 
What was the result of General Dear- 
born's operations ? 
Who took his place ? 
What city did he undertake to cap- 



How much time was lost in prepara- 
tion f 
Wliat was the consequence ? 
What was fuiind to be necessary ? 
What was the result of General Boyd*! 



tux« ? ! ancounter with the British ? 



J 



CRUEL WARFARE ON THE BORDER. 



367 



On the lllh, General Wilkinson with the main body, 
arrived at St. Regis, where General Hampton, with an ad- 
ditional force, had been ordered to meet him for the purpose of 
co-operating in the proposed descent on Montreal. Instead 
of obeying the order, Hampton sent a communication to his 
commander, informing him that in consequence of the sickly 
state of his troops, the want of provisions, &c. he had thought 
proper to fall back on his main depot at Plattsburg, for the 
purpose of keeping open a communication with the St. Law- 
rence, and thus contributing to the success of the main object. 
In consequence of this strange proceeding of General Hampton, 
the expedition was abandoned, and General Wilkinson's army 
retired to French Mills, and went into winter quarters. 

The disappointment and chagrin of the nation at the failure 
of this attempt was proportioned to the extensive preparations, 
and the sanguine hopes with which it had been undertaken. 
The whole fault was respectively charged upon the war de- 
partment, the commanding general and his recusant subaltern ; 
but it was easy to perceive, that if either had possessed a 
tolerable share of decision and energy, the expedition would 
have been attended with a very different result. 

Before restoring his department to its only proper position, 
the capital, the secretary of war, General Armstrong, had 
issued an order to General M'Clure, commanding at Fort 
George, to destroy the British town of Newark, situated in 
its vicinity. This order was punctually complied with on the 
10th of December, and about 500 unoffending and innocent 
people were thus rendered houseless, and compelled in the 
midst of a Canadian winter to seek shelter from the charity 
of their friends. 

This act, and the burning of York, was most severely re- 
taliated by the British, who, when General M'Clure subse- 
quently retreated, and Fort Niagara was lost, passed over to 
the American side of the river, burnt Niagara and Lewistown, 
and laid waste all the other flourishing villages and settlements 
on the Niagara between the lakes. Indeed these unnecessary 
acts of aggression on the Canada borderers, were afterwards 
alleged in justification of every similar proceeding on the 
part of the enemy. 

Although the British were so deeply sensible of the injus- 
tice and cruelty of this mode of warfare when practised upon 



What was done by General Hampton ? 
What was the result of the expedi- 
tion ? 



Who was in fault ? 

What was done by General M'Clure ? 

What waa the consequence ? 



3G8 



BRITISH RAVAGES ON THE SEA COAST. 



their own people, they had been beforehand with tlie Ameri- 
cans in its coinmencement. Having declared a blockade of 
the ports and harbours on the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, 
in December, 1812, they extended it on the following May to 
New York, and all the southern ports. A squadron of four 
ships of the line, and six frigates, under Admiral Cockburn, 
arrived in the Chesapeake early in March, and three seventy- 
fours, and several smaller vessels under Commodore Bercsford, 
arrived in tlie Delaware about the same time. On the 16lh of 
March, a demand was made on the inhabitants of Lewistown, 
on the Delaware, for supplies, which was promptly refused. 
The demand being again made and again refused, the British 
commenced a bombardment of the town on the 6th of April. 
They subsequently attempted to land at two different places 
on the river, but being met at the water's edge and driven 
back, they abandoned the river, after burning some merchant 
vessels, and sailed for Bermuda. 

Admiral Cockburn pursued a similar system of warfare on 
the Chesapeake. The plantations, farms and gentlemen's 
seats on the shore were plundered. The villages of French- 
town, Havre de Grace, Fredericktown and Georgetown were 
plundered and burnt ; and Norfolk and the villages in its im- 
mediate neighbourhood were only saved from destruction by 
the spirited resistance of the inhabitants, assisted by some 
marines and sailors from the Constellation frigate and a few 
gun boats in the harbour, who manned a battery on Craney 
island, sunk several of the British barges, and drove the re- 
mainder back to their ships. 

The village of Hampton, 18 miles from Norfolk, was de- 
fended by about 450 militia, against a British flotilla, with 
bombs and rockets, commanded by Admiral Cockburn ; but 
Sir Sidney Beckwith coming to the assistance of the admiral, 
with 2,000 men, succeeded in capturing the place, which was 
forthwith abandoned to the soldiery, who perpetrated outrages 
on the inhabitants, which would have disgraced the darkest 
ages of barbarism. 

After this great victory and triumph. Admiral Cockburn, 
sailed with his squadron up the Potomac, to within 70 miles 
of Washington ; but finding tlie fortifications on the river in a 
good stale of defence, he retired. He next proceeded up the 



Wli^it nnvnl armaments were sent out 

!)>• tho British f 
Who t)nmhaiilp(l I.owistown ^ Why ' 
What was done t)y Admiral Cockburn? 



What saved Norn)Ik- ^ 

What was done at Hampton .' 

What were Cockburn's next exploits ? 



AFFAIR OF THE HORNET AND PEACOCK. 369 

bay, and threatened Annapolis and Baliimore ; but not deem- 
ing it prudent to attack those places, he proceeded to the 
south, pursuing his system of plunder and devastation on the 
coast of the Carolinas and Georgia. 

These outrages, which were intended to render the war 
unpopular with the Americans, had a directly contrary effect, 
infusing new spirit and energy into their subsequent opera- 
tions, and giving a tone to the public feeling, which was the 
only requisite hitherto wanting towards the successful con- 
duct of the war. 

The blockade of the northern ports fell into better hands. 
Commodore Hardy, who commanded the squadron, which 
blockaded New London, and held the frigates United States 
and Macedonian in a state of inaction there during the latter 
period of the war, conducted his operations in a spirit of com- 
parative forbearance and humanity. His chivalry, however, 
was not so generous as to permit his acceptance of the chal- 
lenge from the commanders of those frigates, oflering to meet 
the Endymion and Statira, ships of the blockading pquadron, 
of equal force. The uniform result of previous meetings of 
this kind was too ominous of disgrace to the British arms. 

The success of the Americans in their naval encounters 
with the enemy was not less remarkable than it had been 
during the preceding year. On the 24th of February, Cap- 
tain Lawrence, in the sloop of war Hornet, fell in with the 
brig of war Peacock, and after a close action of fifteen minutes, 
compelled her to strike her colours and hoist a signal of dis- 
tress. The firing of the Hornet instantly ceased, and the 
boats were hoisted out for the purpose of saving the British 
crew, as the vessel was in a sinking state. Li spite of the 
most active exertions on the part of their generous enemies, 
thirteen of the British went down with the ship, and four of 
the Hornet's crew, who were rendering assistance, suffered 
the same fate.* 

On his return to the United States, Captain Lawrence was 
promoted to the command of the frigate Chesapeake, then 
lying in Boston harbour. Soon after taking command of his 



What was the effect of these outrages i" I Describe the affair of the Hornet and 
What is said of Commodore Hardy ? | Peacock. 

• The alacrity of the Americans in sinking ships seems to have occasioned 
considerable surprise and vexation on the part of the British. The Halifax 
papers remark in relation to this action, ' If a vessel had been moored for the 
sole purpose of experiment, it is not probable that she could have been sunk 
in so short a time. It will not do for our vessels to fight theirs single handed.' 



370 CAPTAIN ALLEN. 

ship, Lawrence received a challenge from Captain Brooke, of 
the British frigate Shannon, to meet him in single combat, 
ship to ship, engaging that the 'J'enedos, which was then 
blockading Boston, in company with the Shannon, should be 
out of tiie way during the action. The challenge was 
promptly accepted. The ships met; the Chesapeake was 
taken, and the gallant Lawrence, with his lieutenant, Ludlow, 
fell in the action. These frigates were nearly equal in weight 
of metal, the Shannon mounting fifty-two guns and the Chesa- 
peake forty-eight; but the latter undoubtedly laboured under 
great disadvantages in the undisciplined and half intoxicated 
state of the crew, just out of port. Her capture, however, 
was a source of unbounded exultation to the British. 

In May, 1813, Captain Allen, in the brig Argus, having 
conveyed Mr. Crawford, the American ambassador to France, 
began a cruise in the British channel, during which he cap- 
tured and destroyed British vessels and cargoes to the amount 
of two millions of dollars. He was then assailed by the 
Pelican sloop of war, of twenty guns, and sustained a severe 
action of forty-ihree minutes, when the British frigate Sea 
Horse heaving in sight, the Argus struck. Captain Allen 
was mortally wninided during the engagement. 

In September, the United States brig Enterprise encoun- 
tered the British brig Boxer off the coast of Maine, and after 
an action of fortj'-five minutes compelled her to surrender 
Both the commanders fell in the action, and were buried 
together, with military honours, in Portland. The Boxer 
was superior to her antagonist in tonnage, men and guns. 
She lost twenty -five Killed, and fourteen wounded ; while 
the Enterprise lost four killed, and eleven wounded. 

The British had employed the Indians as allies from the 
commencement of the war, and had rather encouraged than 
repressed their propensity to use their prisoners in the most 
barbarous manner. It w^as not till the summer of this year 
that the Six Nations declared war against England, and united 
their arms with those of the United States. In accepting 
their aid, it was made a strict condition, that they should treat 
their captives according to the usage of civilised nations, and 
when a party of them, assisted by the militia, routed the 
enemy near fort George, the prisoners being committed to 
their charge, were treated with the greatest humanity ; thus 



Of the Chcsapenke and Shannon. 
What i<< said of the Argus's cruise ? 
Describo the action of the Enterprise 
and Boxer. 



Who became allies of the United 

States } 
How did they behave ? 



DEFENCE OF FORT STEPHENSON. 



371 



completely exploding the apology set up by the British 
officers, that they could not controul their allies. 

The events on the north-western frontier were now assuming 
an interesting character. Both the British and Americans 
were strenuously engaged in preparing a naval force to be 
employed on Lake Erie ; and at the same time an attempt 
was made on Forts Stephenson and Meigs, by General Proc- 
tor, with a large force of British and Indians. Towards the 
last of July, the enemy appeared in the neighbourhood of 
Fort Meigs, and endeavoured by a variety of stratagems to 
withdraw the Americans from their works into the open field. 
Not succeeding in this, on tlie 1st of August, Proctor laid 
siege to Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky river, with a force 
of five hundred regulars and eight hundred Indians. The gar- 
rison consisted of only a hundred and sixty men, with a single 
piece of cannon ; but they were commanded by Major Crog- 
han, a young officer, distinguished by the gallantry suited to 
his age, and the firmness and judgment of a veteran. He had 
been directed to abandon the fort on the approach of a supe- 
rior force, but confiding in his own resources and the courage 
of his men, he dared to assume the responsibility of defend- 
ing it. 

Having poured into the fort a galling cannonade of shot and 
shells for two days, the British advanced at two different 
points to assault the works. One of the advancing parties, 
consisting of three hundred and fifty men, commanded by 
Colonel Short, was received with a heavy fire, and eighty of 
them, having leaped over the pickets into the ditch, were all 
killed or captured. Short himself being among the slain. The 
remainder were repulsed. The other party marched up a 
ravine towards tlie fort, and were received with a discharge of 
slugs and balls from the six pounder which had been masked 
and reserved for their reception, and now mowed them down 
with prodigious slaughter. This spirited resistance so com- 
pletely dismayed the enemy, that Proctor abandoned his dead 
and wounded and fled for safety. The Indians were so dis- 
appointed at missing the plunder and scalps of the garrison, 
that they forthwith began to abandon their allies in great 
numbers. 

Major Croghan, for his brilliant services in this affair, re- 



What forts were threatened by Ge- 
neral Proctor P 
How was he foiled by Harrison ? 
Who commanded Fort Stephenson ? 



With what force was it attacked ? 
With what force defended f 
Describe the affair. 
What was the result ? 



373 



BATTLE ON LAKE ERIE, 



ceived the appointment of lieutenant colonel by brevet in the 
reifiilar army ; and the ladies of Chilicolhe presented him with 
a splendid sword. The repulse which he had given tlie 
British and Indians saved Fort Meigs from an assault, and 
completely relieved the frontier to the south of the strait at 
Detroit, from its most troublesome enemy. 

General Harrison, wlio had the chief command on the 
north-western frontier, was now occupied in preparing liis 
troops for a descent upon the enemy's territory, as soon as 
the squadron in preparation on Lake Erie should be ready to 
aflbrd him the facilities of transportation. Early in September 
Commodore Perry, who had in a few months succeeded in 
constructing from the trees of the neighbouring forests, a re- 
spectable squadron, sailed from Erie in pursuit of the enemy, 
who had hitlierto commanded the lake. His fleet consisted 
of nine small vessels mounting in all fifty-six guns. That of 
the British, under Commodore Barclay, consisted of six larger 
vessels mounting sixty-nine guns. His complement of men 
was also greater than that of Perry. 

On the 10th of September the fleets met off Put-in-bay. 
At the commencement of the action the Lawrence, the flag 
ship, was attacked by tlie Detroit and Queen Charlotte, and 
as the wind was too light to allow the remainder of tlie 
squadron to come up to the commodore's support, he had to 
sustain their fire for two hours, when the Lawrence being 
reduced to a sinking condition, he committed her to the 
charge of Lieutenant Yarnall, and descending into a boat, 
passed through a shower of cannon balls and bullets, and 
transferred his flag to the Niagara. The wind now freshen- 
ing, the remainder of the American vessels were brought into 
action, and soon compelled the surrender of the whole British 
fleet. 

This victory being the first obtained over a squadron, and 
bringing with it the most important advantages, occasioned 
greater rejoicing among the Americans than any which had 
preceded it. The gallant Perry was loaded with honours 
and distinctions, and his victory was proudly recorded in tlie 
annals and celebrated in the songs of his countrymen. 

On receiving intelligence of Perry's success. General Har- 
rison, who had been reinforced by a strong body of Kentucky 



IIow was Mn jor Crn<;han rewarded ? 

For what was General Harrison pre- 
paring ^ 

IIow large a fleet had Commodore 
Perry tjuilt ? 



What was the British naval force ? 
When did the squadrons meet f 
Describe the battle. 
Who conquered ? 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 



373 




Battle on Lake Erie. 

militia under Governor Shelby, embarked on the lake, and 
soon arrived at Maiden. This post had been abandoned by 
the British, who had ascended the river Thames as far as the 
Moravian villages. Here they were overtaken by General 
Harrison, on the 5th of October, who succeeded in bringing 
them to action, and gained a complete victory. General 
Proctor saved himself by flight, leaving his camp equipage 
and papers. Six hundred of the British were made prisoners. 
The Indians are said to have borne the brunt of the battle, 
and fallen in great numbers. Their great chief, Tecumseh, 
was among the slain in the batde of the Thames, having been 
shot by Colonel .Johnson. This victory restored to the Ame- 
ricans all the posts which had been surrendered by General 
Hull. 

The British had been no less successful in exciting the 
hostility of the Indians at the southern extremity of the Union 
than at the north; and a visit of Tecumseh at the commence- 
ment of the war had stirred up among them a spirit of blind 
fanaticism which manifested itself by a series of hostilities, 
carried on by the Creeks and Seminoles against the frontier 
inhabitants of Georgia. This was repressed, however, for 
the time, by an incuision of 2,500 Tennessee volunteers led 
by General Jackson in the fall of 1812. Their hostility now 
burst forth with fresh violence. 

At Fort Mimms, in the Tensaw settlement, a party of 300 
inhabitants who had fled thither for safety, were surprised on 
the 80th of August, by 600 Indians, who broke into the fort. 



What was now done by Genera) 

Harrison ? 
Where did he overtake the British ? 
Describe the battle of the Thames. 
What did this victory restore to the 

Americans ? 



What excited the hostility of the 

Indians in the south ? 
Who repressed their attempts in the 

fall of 1812 ? 
What was done at Fort Mimms ? 



33 



374 THE CREEK WAR. 

drove the people into the liouses vvhicli it inch)secl, and set 
them on fire. Only seventeen escaped the general massacre. 

An army of 3,500 militia principally from Tennessee was 
speedily assembled and placed under the command of General 
Jackson for the purpose of chastising the authors of this un- 
provoked outrage. On the 2d of November a detachment of 
this force under General Coffee attacked the Creeks, at 'J'al- 
luschatches, destroyed 200 of their warriors, burnt their town, 
and captured 86 prisoners. 

On the 8th, General Jackson attacked a large body of the 
Creeks, who were assembled at Taladega, and defeated them ; 
the Indians leaving 290 of their warriors on the field, and 
retreating to the mountains. 

On the 18ih of November, General AVhite was equally 
successful at the Ilillibee villnge, where, after a bloody en- 
counter, he defeated the Creeks, 60 of their warriors being 
killed, and 256 made prisoners without the loss of a single 
man on the side of the Americans. General Floyd inflicted 
a similar defeat on the Indians at xVulossc, on the 29ih of 
November, 

On the 22d of January, 1814, General Jackson, with about 
1,400 men, was attacked by a large body of the Creeks near 
the bend of the Tallapoosa. The Indians were repulsed with 
considerable loss, and the general, having effected his object, 
a diversion in favour of General Floyd, retired to Fort Stro- 
ther. A furious night attack, made upon General Floyd's 
detachment on the 27th, was successfully resisted ; and the 
Indians were compelled, after a severe loss, to fly for shelter 
into the Caulibee swamp. 

The last signal stroke of vengeance was inflicted on the 
Creeks at the Horse Shoe Bend, called by the Indians To- 
hopeka, on the Tallapoosa, March 27th, 1814. Here, by the 
judicious arrangements of General Jackson, they were com- 
pletely surrounded, and after a most sanguinary battle, the 
greater part of them were destroyed. Six hundred warriors 
fell in the battle, and but 300 escaped. 

This may be considered the closing scene of the Creek 
war, since the subsequent march of General Jackson to the 
Hickory Ground only terminated in the formal submission of 
the chiefs. 



Who now marched against the In- 
dians ? 
What was done by General Coffee ? 
By General Jackson f 
By General White ? 
By General Floyd f 



What was done by General Jackson 

on the 22d of January ' 
By General Floyd on the 27th ? 
By General Jackson on the 27th of 

March .' 



RUSSIAN MEDIATION. 



375 




Ballle of the Thames. 

'The interference of Great Britain,' says an American his- 
torian,* ' in the relations that subsisted between the United 
States and the Creek Indians, was, as will be -presently seen, 
finally retaliated upon her, with four-fold vengeance. The 
war with those deluded savages was the school in which 
Generals Jackson, Coffee, and Carroll became adepts in the 
tactics that made a Tennessee rifleman superior to a " Wel- 
lington invincible," and qualified an army of citizen soldiers 
to defeat an army of veterans, of superior numbers. The 
ways of Providence are indeed inscrutable to man. When 
the Creek war broke out, the United States were completely 
begirt with enemies ; and short-sighted man would have con- 
sidered the addition of an infuriated and warlike race to the 
list of their foes as an event much to be deplored. But this 
circumstance, more than any other, favoured the defence of 
New Orleans. The officers and soldiers who defeated the 
legions of Packenham, Gibbs, Keane, and Lambert, were 
formed in tlie contest with the unfortunate victims to British 
influence.' 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

CAMPAIGN OF 1814. 



Early in the spring of 1813 an offer was made by the 
emperor of Russia of his mediation as the common friend of 

What rrmarks are made on the con- I What offer was made by the emperor 
,duct of the British ? | of Russia in 1813 ? 



♦ Ramsay's History of tlie United States. 



376 ACTION AT L\ COLE MILL, 

the United States and Great Britain, for the purpose of facili- 
tating a peace between them. Tlie president, liaving accepted 
this offer, commissioned John Qiiincy Adams, then minister 
of the United States at St. Petersburg, Albert Gallatin, and 
James A. Bayard, with the requisite powers to conclude a 
treaty of peace with persons clothed with similar pow ers, on 
the part of Great Britain. 

During tlie session of congress, which commenced in De- 
cember, 1813, a communication was received from the British 
government, declining to treat under the mediation of Kussia, 
and proposing a direct negotiation in London or Gottenburg. 
This proposition was accepted, and the latter place appointed 
for the meeting, which was afterwards transferred to Ghent; 
and Henry Clay and Jonathan Russell were added to the 
commissioners who had already gone to Europe. 

For the purpose of increasing the force of the regular army, 
several acts of congress were passed, offering large bounties 
to recruits, and providing liberally for the pay, rations, and 
clothing of the troops. A loan of twenty-five millions of 
dollars, and the issue of treasury notes for five millions, were 
also authorised. Provision was also made for the increase 
and better organisation of the navj^ and for the defence of the 
seaboard. An embargo, which had been laid to prevent the 
trade under British licenses, was repealed in April, 1814. 

The fall of Na-poleon, having leit Great Britain at peace 
with all nations except the United States, enabled that power 
to direct the whole of her disposable force against the Ameri- 
cans. This circumstance, increasing the perils of the cam- 
paign, rendered it necessary to make greater exertions and 
sacrifices for the defence of the country. 

The spring passed away without any important operations 
on either side. The army which had wintered at French 
Mills left that station in the earlv part of the spring, one divi- 
sion, under General Wilkinson, proceeding to Platisburg, and 
the remainder, under General Brown, returning to Sackett's 
Harbour. In Marcli, General Wilkinson entered Canada, 
and made an attack on a parly of the British stationed in a 
large stone building called La Cole Mill. He was defeated 
with a heavy loss; and being soon afterwards superseded, his 
command was given to General Izard. 



What wns the answer of the United 
States ' 

Of the British fjovernment ? 

Who were added to the commis- 
sion ? 



What was done to increase tlie force 

of the army .' 
What was the effect of the fall of 

Napdleon ? 
What is said of the army at French 

Mills > 



BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. 377 

On the 5lh of May, the British made a descent on Oswego, 
and succeeded in capturing and destroying the fort and mili- 
tary stores at tliat place ; after which they returned to King- 
ston. 

Early in July, General Brown crossed the Niagara river, 
and invested Fort Erie, which was surrendered without oppo- 
sition, and the prisoners, 137 in number, were sent to Buffalo. 
The army then advanced to Chippewa, where a large body 
of the British were posted ; and, on tlie 5th of July, a severe 
engagement took place, in which the British lost upwards of 
three hundred killed and wounded, two hundred being left 
dead on the field. The American loss was 60 killed, and 268 
wounded and missing. The British then retired to Fort 
George, and General Brown took p6st at Queenslown, to 
await reinforcements from Sackett's Harbour. ^ 

The expected reinforcements, however, being blockaded by 
a Briiish fleet off the harbour, did not arrive. Detachments 
from the army were occupied with unimportant skirmishes 
until July 25th, when the battle of Bridgewater, near the 
cataract of Niagara, took place. 

The British advanced to the attack under General Drum- 
mond. The first brigade, under General Scott, with Towson's 
artillery and a body of cavalry, composed the advance of the 
Americans, and, engaging the enemy at six o'clock in the 
evening, sustained the attack without support for an hour. 
General Ripley, with fresh troops, then arriving, relieved 
General Scott, and his exhausted brigade formed a reserve on 
the rear. The British artillery had taken post on an emi- 
nence at the head of Lundy's Lane, and poured a most deadly 
fire on the Americans. It became necessary to dislodge them 
or retreat. 'Will you advance and capture that battery?' 
said the commanding general to Colonel Miller. 'I will try, 
sir,' was the modest reply of the colonel, which afterwards 
became the motto of his regiment. He advanced coolly and 
steadily to his object, amidst a tremendous fire of artillery, 
and at the point of the bayonet carried the artillery and the 
height. The guns were turned upon the enemy. Several 
attempts were made to regain them without success. The 
principal force of both parties were directed to this point, and 
a most sanguinary contest took place, which resulted in the 
defeat of the British. The loss on each side was about 800. 



Of the capture of Oswego ? I Of the battle of Bridc^ewater. 

Of Fort Erie ? | What js said of Colonel Miller ? 

Give an account of the battle of ] What Vas the loss on each side ? 
Chippewa. I Where did General Ripley take post? 

32* 



378 



SIEOE OF FORT ERIE. 



Generals Brown and Scott being both severely wounded in 
the battle, the command devolved upon General Ripley, who 
took post at F'ort Erie. General Gaines having arrived soon 
after and taken the command, was attacked by General Drum- 
mond, at the head of 5,000 troops, who formally invested the 
place on the 4th of August. Having advanced their lines to 
within 400 yards of the fort, the enemy commenced a brisk 
cannonade on the 13th, which continued the whole of that 
and the next day. The fire was steadily returned by the 
Americans. On the night of the 14th an assault was made 
by the British, which resulted in their repulse, with the loss 
of 900 men ; the Americans losing but 84. 

On the 2d of September, General Brown had so fiir reco- 
vered from his wounds as to be able to resume the command. 
The British main body, under General Drummond, was en- 
camped two miles from Fort Erie, while his works were 
advanced to within 400 yards of the American lines. One of 
his brigades, with a detachment of artillery, was stationed at 
this advance. On the 17th, Generals Porter, Miller, and 
Brown, with large detachments, made a sortie, with a view 
to cut oir the British advanced posts from the main body. 
Within thirty minutes tlie whole line of the enemy's entrench- 
ments were in possession of the Americans. 'J'he works 
were destroyed, and, strong reinforcements of the enemy 
coming up, the Americans retired within their lines. The 
American loss was 79 killed, and 432 wounded and missing. 
The British lost 500 killed and wounded, and 385 captured. 
Tlie result of this gallant sortie completely discouraged the 
enemy, who, on the night of the 21st, raised the siege, which 
had continued 49 days, and retired to his entrenchments 
behind the Chippewa. 

On the 9lh of October General Izard arrived with reinforce- 
ments from Plattsburg, and look the command, General Brown 
retiring to Sackett's Harbour. General Izard, deeming it 
inexpedient to attempt any further offensive operations in this 
quarter, demolished the works at Fort Erie, and removed the 
troops to Bufl'alo. 

The next attempt of the British was a descent upon Platts- 
burg. This was tlie principal military and naval depot for 
the army of the north and the flotilla on I^ake Champlain. 



Who invested Fort Erie ? 

What took place on llie 13th of Au- 

On tlic 2il of September ? 
On the nth? 



When wns the siejje raised ? 
How long ha J it lasted ? 
What was done by General Izard ? 
What was the next point of attack for 
the British ? 



BATTLE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN*. 



379 



Its defence was entrusted to General Macomb, with 1,500 
regulars, and the neigiibouring militia, to be called in as 
occasion might require. On the 1st of September, General 
Prevost, with 14,000 men, advanced to Champlain, within 15 
miles of tbe American lines. Having called in the militia, 
who flocked to his standard from the neighbouring country 
in great numbers, General Macomb made every exertion to 
impede the approach, and prepare for the attack of the enemy. 
The bridges on his line of march were broken up, and every 
possible impediment thrown in the way of his passage, and 
the fortifications at Plattsburg were strengthened by additional 
breastworks and batteries. 

On the 6th of September the British advance was met at 
Batemantown, six miles from Plattsburg, by a corps of 700 
militia, under General Mooers. After some slight skirmish- 
ing, the militia discovered the New York state dragoons in red 
uniform, reconnoitering the heights on their rear, and mistaking 
them for British troops in the act of surrounding their party, 
they broke and fled in every direction, On the same day the 
British, commanded by Sir George Prevost in person, entered 
Plattsburg. The Americans retired to tlie south side of the 
Saranac river, tore up the bridges and made breastworks of 
them, and guarded the ford-ways ; while the British strength- 
ened their works, and prepared for the attack. 

While these operations were going forward on land, the 
American squadron on Lake Champlain lay at anchor in a bay 
two miles distant, awaiting the arrival of the British fleet, 
which was to assist in the simultaneous attack about to take 
place on land and water. On the morning of the lllh, the 
enemy's. ships appeared, bearing down upon the Americans 
under easy sail, and the action immediately commenced. It 
■was a hard fought battle, and it terminated in a manner highly 
honourable to the courage and resolution of Commodore 
M'Donough and his brave associates. The fleets were en- 
gaged two hours and twenty minutes. Nearly all the British 
ships were sunk or taken ; and when the action closed, there 
was not a mast standing in either squadron to which a sail 
could be attached. When the flag ship of the British, having 
lost its commander. Commodore Downie, struck her colours, 
the shores resounded with the acclamations of the American 



How was Plattsburg defended ? 
What was the force of General Pre- 
vost ? 



What took place on the 6th of Sep- 
tember ^ 
Describe the naval battle of the 11th. 



380 FLIGHT OF GENERAL PREVOST. 

troops and citizens. The British, seeing their fleet com- 
pletely conquered, were dispirited and dismayed.* 

At the moment when the naval action had commenced, the 
British from their works on shore, had opened a heavy fire 
of shot, shells and rockets upon the American lines. Under 
cover of this fire, three desperate efforts were made to cross 
the Saranac, for the purpose of carrying the American lines 
by assault, all which were met and successfully resisted. 
One ford, guarded by militia, was passed, and a body of the 
British being drawn into the woods, were so severely handled 
that they were compelled to recross the river with consider- 
able loss. At six o'clock in the evening, the British batteries 
were silenced ; and during the night the whole army decamped 
with precipitation, leaving their sick and wounded, and most 
of their camp equipage, entrenching tools and provisions, 
behind them. This retreat was so sudden and unexpected, 
that it was not discovered by the American general till the 
British were eight miles from the late scene of action. Indeed 
he had little reason to suppose that a disciplined and well 
appointed army, ' Wellington's veterans,' numbering some 
fourteen thousand, would have fled so incontinently from 
1,500 American regulars, and 3,000 militia. The hard 
fighting on the lake must have had what it is the fashion to 
call a * moral effect.' In the phrase of Monsieur De Bour- 
rienne, it ' demnraliseiV them. Their commander was dis- 
missed and disgraced by his government. 

This battle terminated the active warfare on the Canada 
l)order, the general result of which conveys to Americans the 
important lesson that the genius of their institutions, and the 
character of the people, are as uncongenial to all schemes of 
foreign conquest as they are favourable to the resolute and 
unflinching defence of their own soil. The militia who dis- 
played so much bravery near their own fire-sides, could 
never be brought to enter heartily into the scheme of invad- 



What was the result ? I Wliat was the efTcct of M'Donough's 

What was the comparative force of 1 victory on the land operations ? 
the fleets ? Wliat remarks are made on the Canada 

I war } 

•The American force consisted of the Saratoga 26 guns ; Kagle 20; 
Ticonderoga 17 ; Prehle 7 ; 6 galleys of 2 guns ; and 4 of 1 — in all 86 guns, 
and 820 men. The British had the Confiance 3.0 guns; Linnet 16; Cherub 
12 ; Finch II; .') galleys of 2 guns each ; and 8 of 1 gun each — making in all 
95 guns, and 1,020 men. American loss 52 killed, 58 wounded. British loss 
84 killed, 110 wounded. The old story! The result was always about ia 
the same proportion when the fighting was done on the water. 



CAPTAIN porter's CRUISE. 381 

ing the British territory. All efforts in that quarter resulted 
in the same ' laine and impotent conckision.' Even the 
splendid achievements at Chippeu'a, Bridgewater, and Fort 
Erie, produced nothing in the way of conquest; while the 
defence of Fort Sandusky and Plattsburg brought the solid 
advantages of immunity from foreign oppression and savage 
warfare. 

The naval events of this campaign on the ocean were not 
less brilliant than those with which the war had commenced. 
The cruise of Captain Porter in the frigate Essex, chiefly in 
the Pacific Ocean, had commenced in 1 813. He had captured 
a large number of British vessels, and had succeeded in com- 
pletely destroying the enemy's commerce within the range 
of his cruise. One of the captured vessels had been converted 
into a vessel of war mounting 20 guns, which he named the 
Essex Junior. The intelligence of Captain Porter's exploits 
in the Pacific had at length occasioned a force of the enemy 
to be sent in pursuit of him. While the Essex and Essex 
Junior were lying in the harbour of Valparaiso, the Phcebe, 
a British frigate of 38 guns, and a sloop of war, appeared off 
the port. Having entered the harbour and obtained provi- 
sions, they cruised off the port for six weeks. Their united 
force was much greater than Captain Porter's. On the 28th 
of March, tlie Essex attempted to escape to sea, but in round- 
ing the point she was struck by a squall which carried away her 
main top mast, and unable to regain the harbour, Captain Porter 
ran into a small bay and anchored within pistol shot of the 
shore. Here, in violation of the rights of neutrality, he was 
attacked in a most unfavourable position by a superior force, 
consisting of both the British ships above mentioned, and 
after gallantly maintaining the unequal contest for three hours, 
was compelled to surrender. The disregard of the British 
for the rules of warfare relating to an enemy under the pro- 
tection of a neutral nation, was, subsequently referred to by 
the Americans in justification of General Jackson's retalia- 
tory proceedings in Florida. 

The sloop of war Peacock of 18 guns commanded by 
Captain Warrington, on the 29th of April, fell in with, and 
after an action of 42 minutes, captured the British brig of war 
Epervier of 18 guns; the Peacock and her prize, with 
120,000 dollars in specie, arrived safely in the United States. 
The sloop of war Wasp, of 18 guns, commanded by Captain 
Blakely, encountered, on the 28th of June, the British brig of 



What other naval actions took place this j'ear ? 



383 NAVAL ACTIONS. 

war Reindeer, of 19 guns, and after a spirited action of two 
hours compelled her to surrender. The British vessel was 
so much disabled that it was found necessary to set her on 
fire. In September, Captain Blakely fell in with and captured 
the British sloop of war Avon of 20 guns. The appearance 
of '4 British squadron compelled Captain Blakely to abandon 
his prize, which sunk soon after the removal of her crew. 

In February, 1815, Captain Stewart in the Constitution fell 
in with the British frigate Cyane, of 34 guns, and the sloop of 
war Levant, of 21 guns, and notwithstanding their great 
superiority of force, engaged them both and soon compelled 
their surrender. The British loss in both their ships was 77 
killed and wounded ; the American, 3 killed and 12 wounded. 

The frigate President, commanded by Captain Uecatur, 
on the morning after sailing from New York, was chased by 
the British blockading squadron, consisting of the Majestic, 
mounting 70 guns, and the Endymion, Pomona and Tenedos, 
of 50 guns each. Being overtaken first by the Endymion, she 
was engaged, completely dismantled, and her guns silenced; 
but the squadron soon after coming up, the gallant Decatur 
was compelled to strike his colours. 

A very spirited naval action was that of the Hornet, 
of 18 guns, commanded by Captain Biddle, and the Penguin, 
of 19 guns, fought in January, 1815, and terminated by the 
capture and destruction of the British vessel. The achieve- 
ments of the navy had rendered this species of force highly 
popular with the nation ; and its encouragement and gradual 
increase has ever since been the settled policy of the govern- 
ment. 

The withdrawal of the British arms from the continent of 
Europe, and their embarkation for this country, rendered it a 
matter of necessity to fortify every important point on the sea- 
board, as it could not be known where the anticipated inva- 
sion was to take place. The people of the great commercial 
cities, New York, Philadeljihia, Boston and Baltimore, em- 
ployed themselves with great activity in strengthening their 
respective fortifications, and the militia were mustered, and 
large bodies of them drafted for camp duty. The military 
district in the neighbourhood of Washington, was assigned 
to General Winder, and 1,000 regular troops were placed at 
his disposal, with authority to call out 15,000 militia, if their 
services should be required. 



What measures of defence were taken I Who commanded the army near Wash- 
on the seaboard i" | ington ? 



The BRITISH AT WASHINGTON. 



38a 



On the IG'ih of August, a British tleet of 60 sail, under Ad- 
miral Cochrane, with a land force of G,000 men, under General 
Ross, entered the Chesapeake bay, and proceeded to the 
mouth of the Potomac, when a squadron under Commodore 
Gordon entered that river, and advanced towards Alexandria, 
The principal part of the fleet, with the land forces, con- 
tinued their course to the mouth of the Patuxent, and entered 
that river on the 18th. Commodore Barney, who commanded 
the American flotilla of gun boats on that river, to prevent 
their falling into the hands of the enemy, blew them up, and 
proceeded to join General Winder. 

The British, on their advance up the Patuxent, learning the 
defenceless state of Washington determined on an expedition 
to that city. Five thousand men, under General Ross, having 
landed at Benedict, advanced towards the capital; the Ame- 
ricans retiring before him. The whole force for the defence 
of the city, including militia, did not exceed 7,200. They 
were concentrated on and near the heights of Bladensburgh. 
On the 24ih the British advanced, and commenced an attack, 
driving in the advanced parties until they encountered the 
battery of Commodore Barney, manned with seamen and 
marines, who gave them the only serious repulse which they 
met, and inflicted the heaviest loss which they suff'ered in the 
battle. Being deserted by the militia, this gallant little band 
were at length surrounded, and their commander being wound- 
ed, was captured and paroled for his courage by General Ross. 
The city was then abandoned by the president and heads of 
departments ; the whole American force retreated to George- 
town. 

At eight o'clock in the evening, General Ross entered the 
city at the head of 800 men. Having arrived on Capitol liill, 
he offered terms of capitulation, which were, that the city 
might be ransomed by paying a sum of money nearly equal 
to the value of public and private property which it contained ; 
and that, on receiving it, the British troops should retire un- 
molested. As there was no civil or military authority on the 
spot, competent to enter into such an arrangement as this, he 
proceeded to burn the capitol, the president's house, the offices 



When did the British arrive in the 

Chesapeake ? 
With what force ? 
Whither did Commodore Gordon's 

squadron proceed ? 
Admiral Cochrane's P 
What was done by Commodore Bar- 
nv ? 



What occasioned the British expedi- 
tion to Washington ? 

Who commanded it ? 

When did they commence the attack ? 

Who resisted it manfully ? 

What was the result ? 

How did Ross behave after taking 
the city ? 



384 



ATTEMPT ON BALTIMORE. 



of the several departments, and a considerable number of 
private dwellings. 'J'lie navy yard, wiili iis contents, one 
frigate on the stocks, and several smaller vessels were also 
destroyed. The libraries and public archives, together with 
all the works of art contained in the public buildings, were 
included in the general conflagration. 

No parallel for tiiis act of Vandalism can be found in the 
annals of modern warfare. It was felt with the deepest re- 
sentment by the American people, and denounced in the 
severest terms even in the British parliament. The disgrace 
of having their capital taken by an enemy was suffered by 
the Americans in common with every other civilised nation ; 
but the lasting stigma of burning national archives and senate 
chambers remains with the British alone. 

Having accomplished their object, the enemy, on the 25th, 
made a precipitate retreat, and, on the 30lh, embarked at 
Benedict. 

The squadron, under Commodore Gordon, which had 
advanced up the river Potomac, arrived at Alexandria on the 
29lh ; and the commander having granted terms of capitula- 
tion to the citizens, by which the shipping, naval stores, and 
merchandise were delivered up, received the surrender of the 
place. A scene of indiscriminate plunder then ensued. The 
vessels in the liarbour were taken and loaded with the large 
stores of flour, tobacco, cotton, wines, and sugars, of which 
Alexandria was the depot, and the whole was carried ofl' with 
the squadron, on its return down the river. The public and 
private buildings of the town were mercifully spared. 

The success of General Ross at Wasliinglon induced him 
to undertake the capture of Baltimore. He boasted that he 
would make that city his winter quarters, and with the force 
whicli he commanded he could marcli where he pleased in 
Maryland. 

The Americans were not unprepared for an attack in this 
quarter. A force of militia from Maryland and tlie neigh- 
bouring slates, together with the regular troops who had 
recently been engaged at Washington, amounting iu all to 
fifteen thousand men, had been assembled for liie defence of 
the city. The command of these troops was given to Gene- 



Wlint remarks arc made on the con- 
duct of the l}iitisli ;" 
Wlicn did tlip British retreat f 
What was done by Commodore Gor- 
don at Alexandria ? 



U'hat was the next point of attack ? 
Wliat was s;iid by Ross ? 
What measures were taken for th« 
defence of Baltimore ? 



THE BRITISH FOILED AT BALTIMORE. 



385 




Battle of Baltimore. 

ral Smith, of the Maryland militia, assisted by General 
Winder. 

On the 11th of September, a British squadron of fifty sail, 
with six thousand men, entered the mouth of the Patapsco, 
and on the morninsj of the r2th commenced landing- at North 
Point, fourteen miles below tlie city. General Strieker was 
detached with three thousand five hundred militia to oppose 
their advance. General Ross, having preceded the main 
body of his army with a small reconnoitering party, was shot 
through the breast by a riileman, fell into the arms of his aid- 
de-camp, and died in a few minutes. The command devolved 
on Colonel Brook, who led on the attack, whicli was com- 
menced by a discharge of rockets from the British, and was 
succeeded by grape, canister, and small arms on both sides. 
After maintaining his position for an hour and a half against 
a great superiority of numbers. General Strieker was at length 
obliged to retire to Worthington Mills, half a mile in advance 
of the main body. 

On the night of the 12th, the British bivouacked in advance 
of the battle ground, and on the 13th commenced their march 
towards the city. When within two miles of the American 
lines they halted to await the result of the attack on Fort 
M'Henry. This fortress defends the narrow passage from 
the Patapsco into Baltimore harbour, two miles below the 
city, and its command had been entrusted to Major Armistead, 
with one thousand men. Fort Covington, on the right of 
Fort M'Henry, was commanded by Lieutenant Newcomb. 
On the 12th, a British squadron of sixteen ships drew up in 



When did the British arrive at the 

mouth of the Patapsco ? 
With what force ? 
Who was detached to meet them ? 



What followed ? 
What was done on the 13th ? 
What forts were hombarded ? 
Who commanded them ? 



38 



386 CONNECTICUT AND MAINE INVADED. 

line of battle within two miles and a half of the forts, and at 
sunrise on the 13th, commenced an attack on them with 
bombs and rockets. Twelve hundred men were detached to 
storm the works on the succeeding night, and the battle raged 
with great fury till the morning of the 14th, when the assail- 
ants, being completely foiled, were compelled to retire, and 
the squadron sailed down the river. Their example was 
speedily followed by the army, who had sanguinely anticipa- 
ted the capture and plunder of Baltimore. The whole fleet 
soon after left Chesapeake bay for the south. 

While the central parts of the American seaboard were 
suffering these attacks from the British, the towns on the 
coast of New England were not spared. On the 7th of April 
a detachment from the blockading squadron in Long Island 
Sound ascended the Connecticut river to Pettipaug Point, and 
burned twenty-two vessels which had been moored there as 
a place of safety. The village was set on fire in several 
places, but the flames were extinguished by the inhabitants. 

On the 9th of August, another detachment from the same 
squadron appeared off Stonington Point and commenced a 
bombardment of the village. The militia of the neighbour- 
hood, having assembled in considerable numbers with artil- 
lery, made so gallant a defence that the British were compelled 
on the 11th to give up the contest and retire. 
' The extensive seaboard of the state of Maine, by its de- 
fenceless state and its vicinity to the British provinces, offered 
an easy conquest to the enemy. On tiie 11th of July a 
squadron under Commodore Hardy, with twelve hundred 
troops, took possession of Eastport, on Moose Island, erected 
fortifications, and required the people to take the oath of alle- 
giance to his Britannic majesty, or quit the island. Having 
accomplished this object, the commodore returned to his 
station off New London. 

On the 1st of September an expedition nnder Sir John 
Sherbrooke, governor of Nova Scotia, and Admiral Griffith, 
with 40 sail and several thousand troops, entered the Penob- 
scot river and took possession of Castine. They next sent 
a detachment of 600 men to Belfast, and having received the 
surrender of that place, proceeded 35 miles np the river to 
Hampden, to which place the American frigate Adams had 



When was an assault made on 

tlicm ? 
With what success ? 
What followed ? 
What was done by tlie British on the 

•Vth of April.' 



On the 9th of August f 

On the nth of July? 

When was Maine invaded by Sir 

John Sherbrooke ? 
What place did he first take ? 
Relate the affair of the Adams. 



HARTFORD CONVENTIOX. 387 

retired on their approach. The militia had assembled in 
considerable numbers, but fled on the approacli of the enemy. 
Captain Morris was therefore compelled to blow up this ship, 
destroy his stores, and retire with his crew to Portsmouth. 
The British commanders having taken possession of the prin- 
cipal towns on the coast, published their proclamation at 
Castine, declaring the conquest of all the country east of the 
Penobscot to Passamaquoddy Bay, and requiring the submis- 
sion of the people to the British government. The territory 
thus occupied comprehends 42 flourishing towns — nearly one- 
half of the state of Maine. 

The ravages of the British extended to the coast of Massa- 
chusetts. The people of Cape Cod were reduced to great 
distress, being prohibited from fishing on the banks ; the in- 
habitants of Nantucket were compelled to promise neutrality 
during the remainder of the war, and the other islands on the 
seaboard being entirely unprotected, were under the necessity 
of submitting to such terms as the British naval commanders 
chose to dictate. 

The opposition to the measures of government in New 
England became more decided than ever at this period of the 
war. In Massachusetts it was even proposed to withliold the 
revenue of the state from the national treasury, and apply it 
to the purposes of local defence. A convention of delegates 
was assembled at Hartford for the purpose of taking into 
consideration the measures which miglit be deemed necessary 
for self defence, and the redress of their alleged grievances. 
To compose this assembly members were appointed by the 
legislatures of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island ; 
and two from New Hampshire, and one from Vermont, re- 
ceived their appointment from county meetings. The session 
commenced December 15th, 1814, and lasted three weeks, 
their deliberations being conducted with closed doors. On 
adjourning, the convention put forth an address, charging the 
general government with pursuing a system of measures un- 
friendly to the interests of New England, and recommending 
amendments to the federal constitution. A committee was 
despatched to Washington to confer with the national govern- 
ment on the subject of applying the revenue of New England 
to its defence ; but the arrival of the news of peace arrested 
all further proceedings. 

What portion of Maine was occupied I What is said of Cape Cod ? 

by the British ? Of Nantucket and the other islands ? 

What was done on the coast of Mas- What is said of the Hartford conven- 

sachusetts ? I tion ? 



388 



THE BRITISH EXPELLED FROM FLORIDA. 



The Spanish authorities at Pensacola, M'ho had encouraged 
the Indians in their hostilities since the commencement of the 
war, now afforded the same encouragement to the British. 
On the 25th of August three British ships of war arrived 
tliere, and landed military stores and provisions, and 300 
troops, which were conducted to the Spanish fort. Colonel 
NichoUs, tile commander, then published an address to the 
native inhabitants of Louisiana, calling cm them to unite with 
tlie British in expelling the Americans from the south. This 
address, however, had very little effect. The enemy's army 
at Pensacola was supplied with provisions from New Orleans 
by a direct commerce. General Jackson, who had the com- 
mand of the military district including Tennessee, Louisiana, 
and the Mississippi territory, immediately arrested the inter- 
course between Pensacola and New Orleans, and prohibited 
all commerce between the two places. 

On the island of Barrataria near the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi, a hor.Io of pirates had established themselves, and 
were commiiiiug depredations on the commerce of all nations. 
As their force was considerable, the British commander at 
Pensacola endeavoured to engage them in the service of the 
British, but his offers were declined. The Americans took a 
more summary course with the pirates. Commodore Patter- 
.son commandant of the American squadron at New Orleans, 
attacked them with gun boats, and other small craft on the 
16th of September, and compelling them to seek safety in 
flight, captured their whole fleet of cruisers and prizes, and 
conducted them safely to New Orleans. 

On the 15th of September, the British sent an expedition 
from Pensacola against Fort Boyer on Mobile Point at the 
entrance of the bay ; which was defeated with the loss of a 
ship of war, and a considerable number of killed and wounded. 
'J'he whole armament then returned to Pensacola. 

'J'he establishment of the British at this post was so inju- 
rious to the United States, that General Jackson determined 
on his own responsibility to dislodge them. Accordingly, on 
on the 6th of November, he appeared before Pensacola with 
three regiments of regular infantry and a large body of militia, 
and sent a flag to the governor, which was fired upon and com- 



Whore did tho Riitish find shelter and 

encnurngomcnt f 
Whence did they draw supplies ? 
Who put a stop to this inleicourse ? 
\Vho oHVred allinnce to the pirates ? 
Who comiucrcd and expelled them ? 



Relate the affair of Fort Boyer. 

Why did General Jackson determine 
to dislodge the British from Pensa- 
cola ? 

Give an account of his proceedings. 



GENERAL JACKSON ARRIVES AT NEW ORLEANS. 389 

pelled to return. General Jackson then attacked the fort and 
carried it after a smart action, and compelled the British to 
retreat to their shipping ; their escape being effected only by 
the blowing up of Barancas, a valuable fortress belonging to 
the Spaniards. 

The British had for some time been preparing for an ex- 
pedition against New Orleans. The fleet lately employed in 
the Chesapeake, and the whole British force which could be 
spared from the Atlantic coast, had been assembled at Jamaica 
and at Bermuda, to prepare for this grand attempt. Large re- 
inforcements had been ordered from England, under General 
Packenham, furnished not only with the means of war, but 
with printing presses, and custom-house and civil officers, and 
every thing incident to a permanent establishment. Indeed, 
so certain were the enemy of accomplishing their object, that 
there were merchants on board the fleet who went out for the 
purpose of buying the cotton which was to compose a part of 
the coveted plunder. 

On the 20th of November, this formidable armament, con- 
sisting of sixty vessels with eight thousand troops, sailed from 
the West Indies, and on the 18th of November arrived at the 
entrance of Lake Borgne. On the 2d of December, General 
Jackson with the regular troops from the Mobile and Missis- 
sippi territory, arrived at New Orleans, and immediately com- 
menced a system of efficient measures for its defence. The 
militia of Louisiana and Mississippi were ordered out en 
masse, and large detachments from Tennessee and Kentucky. 
From Governor Claiborne of Louisiana, General Jackson had 
previously learnt that the city corps had for the most part re- 
fused to turn out on the requisition of General Flournoy, that 
the legislature of the state, then in session, had encouraged 
them in their disobedience, and that among the citizens there 
were many disaffected to the government of the United States, 
and friendly to the British. 

Finding on his arrival in the city that this information was 
correct, and that the most imminent danger was threatened by 
the presence and influence of the disaffected. General Jackson 
after consulting with the governor and other leading citizens, 
on the 16th of December, issued an order, declaring the city 
and environs of New Orleans to be under strict martial law. 
The rigid police which this measure enabled him to exert, 



What preparations were made for an 

attack on New Orleans ? 
When did the British arrive ? 



33* 



Who took the command at New 

Orleans ? 
Why did he declare martial law ? 



390 



CAPTURE OF THE FLOTILLA. 



soon freed the cily from the spies and traitors with which it 
had abowiuled ; and the citizens addressed themselves earnestly 
to tlie business of preparing for the vigorous defence of the 
city, 'i'lie forlificalions were strengUiened, and every man 
wlio could bear arms was required to lake a part in the mili- 
tary operations on which the safety of all depended. 

Fort St. Philip, which guarded the passage of the river at 
Detour la Plaquemine was strengthened and placed under the 
command of Alajor Overton. An extensive line of works was 
erected four miles below the city, on the east bank of the 
Mississippi, the right resling on the river, and the left reach- 
ing to an impenetrable cypress swamp. A ditch which had 
been dug for agricultural objects, between the river and the 
swamp, was now made use of for an important military pur- 
pose. On its northern bank entrenchments were thrown up, 
and large quantities of cotton bales were so arranged as to 
prote(!t the troops effectually from the enemy's fire. These 
works were well mounted with artillery. Opposite this posi- 
tion, on the west bank of the river, General Morgan with a 
body of militia was stationed, and near him Commodore Pat- 
terson with the crews and guns of part of his squadron ; en- 
filading the approach of the enemy against the principal 
works. A detachment was stationed above the town to guard 
the pass of the Bayou St. John. These dispositions having 
been made for the defence of the city, the approach of the 
enemy was firmly awaited. 

To clear the way for the transportation of their troops by 
boats, tlie lirilish first sent fr)r\var(i forty launches filled with 
men, who attacked, and after a desperate resistance, captured 
and destrojed, the American llotilla stationed on lakes Borgne 
and Pontcliartrain, consisting of five gun boats and a small 
sloop and scliooner. Having thus olUained possession of the 
lakes, on the 22d of December a detachment was sent from 
their rendezvous, at Ship Island, to the Bayou Bienvenue, 
and havingr effected a landins' unobserved, were marching 
towards the city. General Jackson having been apprised of 
their approach, marched out and attacked them on the night 
of the 2.3d. In this action the British lost 500 in killed, 
wounded and missinsr. They retreated, and entrenched 
themselves at Bienvenue, four miles from the American 



Wlint wns tlip pfTect nf this monsurp ' 
What prppaintiDns wore madp for thp 

dpfcnce of the city at Fort St. 

Philip'' 
On the east bank of the Mississippi ? 



On Ihp wpst hnnk ? 

Atiovp tlic city ? 

Rplate the aflair of the prun boats. 

The action of the 23d of December t 



BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 



391 




Battle of New Orleans. 

camp. Tlie armed schooners Caroline and Louisiana, drop- 
ped down the river from the city, and opened a fire on the 
British lines. On the 27tli, the Caroline got aground, and 
was set on fire and destroyed by the hot shot of the enemy. 
The Louisiana succeeded in getting out of the reach of their 
batteries. 

On the 28lh the British advanced within half a mile of the 
American lines, and opened a fire of shells and rockets, but 
were repulsed by the artillery. On the night of the 31st, they 
came within 600 yards of the works, erected three batteries, 
and opened a heavy fire. Under cover of these batteries they 
attempted three times to storm the works, but were repulsed, 
and their batteries being silenced they returned to their former 
position. 

Tlie final assault was reserved for the 8lh of January. To 
ensure its success it was deemed necessary to order a simul- 
taneous attack to be made on the main works, and on the 
position of General Morgan and Commodore Patterson west 
of the river. Colonel Thornton was detached for the latter 
service, with 500 men, and soon effected a landing. Colonel 
Davis, with 300 Kentucky militia, being ordered to the water's 
edge to oppose them, was soon put to flight, and the Loui- 
siana militia, under General Morgan, also fled, deserting their 
battery. Commodore Patterson's battery being thus left un- 
supported, his crews were obliged to yield to a superior force ; 
but the resistance which they were able to make, detained 
the British until the contest on the other side of the river was 
nearly over. 



What took place on the 27th ? 
On the 28th!' On the 31st? 
What was the plan of operations for 
the 8th ? 



What was the British plan of attack ? 
How did they succeed on the west 
bank? 



392 .BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS. 

While these operations were going forward on the west 
bank of the river, the decisive action was fouglit on the oppo- 
site side. At daybreak on the 8th, the main body of the 
British, under General Packenhani, advanced from their en- 
campment to storm the American lines. A battery which 
they had erected the evening before, within 800 yards, opened 
a fire to protect their advance. They came on in two columns, 
the left column along the levee against the American right, 
and the right column advancing to the swamp for the purpose 
of turning GeneralJackson's left. When they had approached 
within 300 yards of the lines, forty pieces of artillery from 
the American works, opened upon them a destructive fire of 
grape shot and musket balls, and mowed them down by 
hundreds, while the riflemen taking deliberate aim, made 
nearly every shot take effect. Through this destructive fire 
the British left column rushed on with their fascines and 
scaling ladders, and carried the advanced bastion of the Ame- 
rican right ; but being unsupported, and assailed by the bat- 
tery planted in the rear, and a regiment of riflemen brought 
up for the purpose, they were driven from the ground with 
immense loss of lives. The right column of the British 
having attempted to pass into the swamp for the purpose of 
turning the American left, were prevented from eflecting their 
object by the nature of the ground, and being exposed to the 
fire from tlie batteries, were compelled to retire. The assault 
continued an hour and a quarter, during which the British 
were exposed to the destructive fire from the American 
artillery and musketry, while the breast-works of cotton bales, 
which no balls could penetrate, afforded a perfect protec- 
tion to their opponents. General Packenham was mortally 
wounded ; General Gibbs, the second in command, also 
received a mortal wound ; and General Keane, tiie third in 
command, was wounded so severely as to be incapable of 
performing his duties of commander. 

At 8 o'clock the British retreated to their works. The 
militia were anxious to pursue them, but General' Jackson 
prudently determined not to risk the loss of the city by so 
rash a proceeding. Of the troops which the British had 
brought into the field, 700 were killed, 1,400 wounded, and 
500 captured, making a total loss of 2,600. The Americans 



Describe the oponing of the main I How long did the assault last ? 

battle of the Sth of January. ] Who fell j" 

The operations on Jacksou*3 left f What was the result ? 
On his right ? | 



PEACE OF GHENT. 



393 



lost 6 killed, and 7 wounded. Of General Morgan's detach- 
ment on the west bank, and of a party sent on a sortie on the 
British lines, 49 were killed, and 178 wounded. 

The British kept up the appearance of renewing the attack, 
and on the 9th commenced a bombardment of Fort St. Philip, 
which was continued till the 17th, and sustained by Major 
Overton and his garrison with but trifling loss. This, how- 
ever, was merely a feint to cover their final retreat, which took 
place on the 16th of January under the direction of General 
Lambert. 

While the whole country was electrified with the news of 
this important victory, intelligence was received from Europe 
of the conclusion of a treaty of peace by the commissioners 
assembled at Ghent. The treaty had been signed on the 24th 
of December, and ratified by the Prince Regent of England on 
the 27th. It was received in the United States on the 11th, 
and ratified on the I7ih of February by the President and 
senate. The pacification of Europe in 1814 had removed all 
the real grounds of war between Great Britain and the United 
States, by rendering the interruption of American commerce 
and the impressment of seamen unnecessary for promoting 
the objects of the British government. The conquests on 
both sides were restored; and provision was made for settling 
the boundaries between the United States and Canada, which 
have ever since been a subject of negotiation. 

A treaty to regulate the commerce between the two coun- 
tries was signed at London on the 3d of July, and ratified by 
the President on the 22d of December. 

The Algerines having taken the opportunity, afl^orded by 
the war with Great Britain, to make depredations on American 
commerce, war was declared against them in March, 1815, 
and a squadron under the command of Commodore Bain- 
bridge was sent out to chastise them. The squadron in the 
Mediterranean under Commodore Decatur, after capturing 
some of their ships, appeared before Algiers and speedily 
compelled the Dey to sign a treaty relinquishing all future 
claims for tribute from the United States. On the arrival of 
Commodore Bainbridge, arrangements were made with the 
regencies of Tunis and Tripoli which afforded security to 



The loss on each side ? 

How lon<; did the British remain after 

the battle of the 8th ? 
What intelligence came from Europe ? 
When was the treaty ratified ? 
What were some of its provisions ? 



When was a commercial treaty 

signed ? 
What is said of the Algerines ? 
When was war declared against them? 
How was the atfair terminated ? 



394 



UNITED STATES BANK CHARTERED. 



the American commerce from the depredations of Barbary 
cruisers. 

The charter of tlie old Bank of North America, instituted 
during Washington's administration, having expired in 1811, 
and a new one being called for by the commercial interest, a 
national bank was established by congress, in 1816, with a 
charter for twenty years. Treaties of peace were concluded 
with the Choclaws, Chickasaws, Cherokees, and other Indian 
tribes, by which a large accession was made to the public 
lands of the United States. 

President Madison's second terra of office being about to 
expire, an election was held in the autumn of 1816, which 
gave the first office in the nation to James Monroe, and that 
of vice-president to Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York. 



CHAPTER XL. 

ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES MONROE. 

The change of administration made no apparent difference 
in the policy of government. Its attention was chiefly directed 
to the south. The Union was not considered complete without 
the acquisition of Florida. Spain, against whom almost all 
her trans- Atlantic possessions were in full revolt, kept but a 
feeble hold of these countries. The government of the United 
States endeavoured to obtain them in exchange for pecuniary 
claims ; and not to alarm the pride of Spain, preserved a strict 
neutrality between the mother country and her revolted 
colonies. 

Spain, however, hesitated to render up what remained to 
her of Florida. Some adventurers from the insurgent colo- 
nies, in the mean time, took possession of Amelia Island, off 
their eastern coast, and seemed determined to convert it into 
a strong hold for buccaneering, for carrying on a commerce in 
slaves, and for tampering with the Indians. The American 
government drove out the occupants and destroyed their esta- 
blishment. 



When was the United States Dank 

chartered ? 
For how long a period ? 
With whom were treaties concluded ? 
Who succeeded president Madison ? 



What territory did tlie United States 

wish to acquire ? 
What island was taken possession of? 
For what reason .' 
Who captured it ? 



SEMINOLE WAR. 



395 



In the following year, 1818, an occasion was presented for 
taking possession of the main land of Florida. The Seminole 
Indians, within the Spanish territory, having made hostile 
incursions on the neighbouring states, General Jackson, com- 
manding the forces of the south, was ordered to reduce them, 
but not to enter Florida except in pursuit of an enemy. 

In addition to the regular force under his command, he 
raised an army of volunteers, and pursued the Indians into 
Florida. Two Englishmen, Arbuthnot and Ambrister, having 
fallen into his hands, were accused of being engaged in incit- 
ing the Indian hostilities, tried by court martial, and executed. 
The general, being satisfied that the Spanish garrisons gave 
aid and protection to the Indians, marched to Pensacola, the 
capital, and expelling the Spanish authorities, took possession 
of the place. 

For this occupation of a neutral territory General Jackson 
was called to account by congress ; and the whole conduct of 
the Seminole war was made the subject of investigation by a 
committee appointed for the purpose, who drew up a report 
strongly inculpating the general. He was defended by the 
government party. Debate ran high, and divisions upon the 
several questions were nearly equal. The friends of the 
accused, however, succeeded in carrying his complete excul- 
pation. 

Spain was in no condition to dispute the claims or conduct 
of the United States. Her minister, in the following year, 
even signed a treaty in which the cession of Florida was sti- 
pulated. But King Ferdinand refused to ratify it, sending an 
envoy to make complaints on different points, principally 
with respect to encroachments upon the Mexican province of 
Texas. Ere the period of Mr. Monroe's presidency expired, 
however, he had the satisfaction of fiually negotiating the 
acquisition of the Floridas, on which he congratulated congress 
in 1821. This diplomatic difficulty being removed, the in- 
dependence of the South American republics was recognised 
by their elder sister of the north, in the ensuing year. 

While thus completing itself in the south, the territory of 
the United States proper was extending itself westward to and 
beyond the Mississippi. Illinois had just been admitted into 



What Indians showed hostility ? 
Who was ordered to chastise them ? 
How did he execute the commission ? 
Whom did he punish ? 
How did he treat the Spaniards ? 
By whom was he called to account ? 
What was the result ? 



What is said of Spain ? 

When was Florida ceded to the Uni- 
ted States ? 

When were the South American re- 
publics recognised ? 

What state had just been admitted 
into the Union ? 



396 



MISSOURI QUESTION. 



the Union, and Missouri demanded also to be erected into a 
state. This gave occasion to very animated discussions in 
congress, tlie northern members being desirous to deny to the 
people of this stale liie privilege of owning slaves, and the 
southern members being equally anxious to grant them this 
boon. The slate was finally admitted by a sort of compro- 
mise respecting future applications of the same nature. 

Tlie Missouri question had hardly subsided, when another 
subject of contention arose, not less calculated to array the 
southern against the northern interests. This was tlie tariff. 
Ere this, however, became the absorbing topic of debate, a 
change of administration took place. In March, 1825, Mr. 
Monroe's second term of office expired. 'J'he election of a 
successor, not having been effected by the people on account 
of the large number of candidates, devolved upon the house 
of representatives. By their vote John Quincy Adams was 
declared president. Mr. Calhoun had been elected vice-pre- 
sident by the people. 

The period of Mr. Monroe's administration was signalised 
by the remarkable visit of General la Fayette to the United 
States, which will long be remembered as the triumph of na- 
tional gratitude. It lasted more than a year, during which he 
traversed the principal part of the Union, and was everywhere 
received with the most lively demonstrations of welcome and 
attachment. Before his return to France, congress voted him 
the sum of 200,000 dollars, and a township of land, as a re- 
muneration, in part, for his services during the revolutionary 
war, and as a testimony of their gratitude. 



CHAPTER XLI. 

ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



The new president was inaugurated March 4th, 1825. 
II is address on this occasion has been admired, both in this 



What state applied for admission ? 
Why was her claim disputed .' 
How did the allair terminate .' 
What was the next subject of dispute 

in congress ? 
Who Kuccceded Mr. Manro* / 



When did La Fayette visit the United 

States f 
What reception did he meet with ? 
What was voted by congress i" 
When was Mr. Adams inaugurated ? 



MR. ADAMs's ADDRESS. 897 

country and in Europe, as a master-piece in dignity and 
style.* 

' The president, in his address on this occasion, said, in 
unfolding to his countrymen the principles by which he 
should be governed in the fulfilment of his official duties, his 
first resort should be to that constitution which he should 
swear, to the best of his ability, to preserve, protect, and 
defend. " That revered instrument enumerates the powers, 
and prescribes the duties of the executive magistrate ; and, in 
its first words, declares the purposes to which these, and the 
■whole action of the government, instituted by it, should be 
invariably and sacredly devoted — to form a more perfect union, 
establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the 
common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the 
blessings of liberty to the people of this Union, in their suc- 
cessive generations," Having recited what had been done by 
the government in the compass of thirty-six years since this 
great national covenant was instituted, the president took a 
retrospective view to the epoch of the confederation. " The 
year of jubilee since the first formation of our Union has just 
elapsed ; that of the declaration of our independence is at hand. 
The consummation of both was eff'ected by this constitution. 
Since that period, a population of four millions has multiplied 
to twelve. A territory, bounded by the Mississippi, has been 
extended from sea to sea. New states have been admitted to 
the Union, in numbers nearly equal to those of the first con- 
federation. Treaties of peace, amity, and commerce, have 
been concluded with the principal dominions of the earth. The 
people of other nations, inhabitants of regions acquired not 
by conquest, but by compact, have been united with us in the 
participation of our rights and duties, of our burdens and bles- 
sings." Notice was taken of the progress of agriculture and 
of settlements, of commerce and arts, of liberty and law. 
The great features of the administration of the preceding pre- 
sident were sketched. " Under the pledge of these promises, 
made by that eminent citizen, at the time of his first induction 
to this ofiice, in his career of eight years, the internal taxes 
have been repealed ; sixty millions of the public debt have 
been discharged ; provision has been made for the comfort 
and relief of the aged and indigent, among the surviving war- 



What was said by the president in his Concerning the progress of the couii' 



address concerning the constitution? 



try 



• The succeeding abstract and specimens of this address are copied from 
Dr. Holmes's Annals of America. 

34 



398 



LA FAYETTE. 



rjors of the revolution ; the regular armed force has been 
reduced, and the constitution revised and perfected; the 
accountability for the expenditure of public moneys has 
been made more effective ; the Floridas have been peaceably 
acquired, and our boundary has been extended to the Pacific 
Ocean ; the independence of the southern nations of this 
hemisphere has been recognised, and recommended, by ex- 
ample and by council, to the potentates of Europe; progress 
has been made in the defence of the country, by fortifications 
and the increase of the navy — towards the effectual suppres- 
sion of the African traffic in slaves — in alluring the aboriginal 
hunters of our land to the cultivation of the soil and of the 
mind — in exploring the interior regions of the Union, and in 
preparing, by scientific researches and surveys, for the further 
application of our national resources to the internal improve- 
ment of our country. — In this brief outline of the promise and 
performance of my predecessor, the line of duty, for his suc- 
cessor, is clearly delineated. To pursue to their consumma- 
tion those purposes of improvement in our common condition, 
instituted or recommended by him, will embrace the whole 
sphere of my obligations." ' 

The visit of General la Fayette to the United States, which 
had commenced on (lie 13th of August of the preceding year, 
lasted through tlie summer of 1825. He hail arrived at New 
York, visited New Enghinil, and the southern and western 
states, and wintered in Washington during tlie session of con- 
gress. On tlie 1.5lh of June he arrived in Boston, and attended 
on the 17tli of the same month, the ."iOth anniversary of the 
battle of Bunker, or rather Breed's Hill, and assisted at the 
ceremony of laying the corner stone of the monument since 
erected in commemoration of this victory. In presence of the 
asseml)led concourse, comprising many thousands of the peo- 
ple of New England, numerous visiters from other parts of 
the Union, and a considerable number of the surviving heroes 
of the battle, an address was delivered by Mr. Webster, which 
was worthy of the occasion and of the distinguished orator. 
In September, La Fayette took his departure for France, in a 
national frigate which was sent out expressly to convey him 
to the land of his birth. 

During the year 1825, treaties were concluded between the 
United States and the Creeks, Kansas and Osages, by which 



How long did La Fayette's visit to 

this country last ' 
What was done June 17th, 1S25 i" 



When and how did he return to 

France ^ 
What treaties were made in 1826 } 



THE TARIFF. 



39§ 



large tracts of the Indian lands were added to the already 
extensive public domain. 

In 1826, u treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation, 
between Denmark and the United States was concluded ; and 
a similar treaty was also ratified between our government and 
the federation of the Centre of America. 

On the 4th of July, 1826, John Adams died at Quincy, 
Massachusetts, in the 91st year of his age; and on the same 
day, Thomas Jefferson expired at Monticello, in Virginia, in 
his 83d year. It was noticed as a remarkable coincidence 
that these distinguished statesmen and patriots, who had both 
taken so active a part in eslabhshing the independence of the 
country, and had each sustained its highest office, should 
depart this life on the day which completed the first half 
century since they had signed the charter of its freedom. 
' Without the aid of panegyric, of painting, or of sculpture,' 
says an American historian,* ' their names will be preserved 
in the Declaration of Independence, and interwoven with the 
history of the United States ; their actions will present their 
true portraits to posterity ; and the respect of the republic to 
their memory will be their noblest monument.' 

The Tariff of duties for the protection of American manu- 
factures, which had been the subject of debate under the 
administration of Mr. Monroe, was again brought before 
congress during the last part of Mr. Adams's administration, 
and in 1828 the new tariff was passed which rendered the 
system of protection the settled policy of the country. This 
act was considered by many statesmen, particularly in the 
southern part of the Union, not only highly oppressive to the 
great mass of the community, and injurious to commerce, but 
in direct violation of the constitution itself. 

Mr. Adams's period of office being about to expire, an 
election was held in the autumn of 1828, which gave the 
first office in the republic to General Andrew Jackson. Mr. 
Calhoun was a second time chosen vice-president. 



In 1826 ? 

What was said respecting John Adams 

and Thomas Jetferson ? 
When was the new tariff passed ? 



What is said concerning it ? 
When was General Jackson first 
chosen president ? 



* Dr. Holmes. 



400 



TREATY WITH ENOLANP. 



CHAPTER XLII, 



ADMINISTRATION OF ANDREW JACKSON. 



It is a difficult task to write the history of an administra- 
tion which is not yet closed. The impartial awards of time 
are necessary in order to pronounce with certainty on the 
characters of leading men or the tendency of important mea- 
sures. Leaving this office to the future historian, we propose 
merely to glance in a cursory manner at the principal events 
which have distinguished the period of the present administra- 
tion. 

As the political party, who elected President Jackson, had 
been directly opposed to the supporters of Mr. Adams, the 
cabinet was changed and a large number of executive officers 
were removed, and new ones appointed, immediately after 
the inauguration of the new president. This measure excited 
considerable clamour, but it was defended by an appeal to the 
precedent afforded by Mr. Jefferson, who had pursued the 
same course, though to a much smaller extent. As no re- 
markable difference was apparent in the general policy of the 
government, the people regarded the change in their executive 
officers with liltle solicitude. 

In 1830, a new treaty of commerce was concluded with 
Great Britain by which the ports of that power in the West 
Indies, South America, the Bahama Islands, the Caicos and 
the Bermudas were opened to the vessels of the United States, 
and our ports were thrown open to British vessels coming 
from those places. The conditions of this treaty and the 
manner in which it has been permitted to take effect are said 
to have given the carrying trade between this country and the 
West Indies chieHy to British vessels. 

In May, 1830, a treaty between the United States and 
Turkey was signed at Constantinople, securing to this country 
the free navigation of the Black Sea and the trade of the 
Turkish empire. 

During the session of congress which commenced in the 
autumn of 1831, a bill was brought forward for granting a 
now charter to the Bank of the United States, the old charter 
being about to expire in 1836. After a long and animated 



What chanpos took place on the ac- 
cession of the new prpsi-lont ' 
U'hat treaty was concluded in 1830 f 



What other treaty was made in 

1830? 
When was tlie bank charter vetoed f 



INDIAN WAR. 401 

debate it was passed by a small majority. On receiving the 
bill for his approbation the president thought proper to return 
it to congress with a communication in which his reasons 
were assigned for not affixing his signature to the bill. As 
the constitutional majority for passing the bill into a law 
without the signature of the president could not be obtained, 
the bank ceased to be a national institution at the expiration 
of its first charter. 

In the spring of the year 18.32, the Winnebagoes and some 
other neighbouring tribes of Indians commenced a series of 
hostilities against the inhabitants on the north-western frontier. 
A body of regular troops under the command of General Scott 
being sent against the Indians, defeated them, and on the' 27th 
of August captured the famous chief Black Hawk. This 
terminated the war. Black Hawk and a number of his Indian 
friends were taken to Washington, and several other cities of 
the Union, in order to impress upon them such an idea of the 
strength and resources of the country as to prevent the Indians 
from engaging in fresh hostilities. The Indians were then 
permitted to return to their own territories. 

Congress was occupied during a great part of the session, 
which terminated in the summer of 1832, in discussing a new 
tariff bill, which was finally passed. Although it effected 
many changes in the protective duties, it was considered highly 
favourable to the American manufacturer, fl.nd gave general 
satisfaction to the supporters of that policy, which had be- 
come so popular in many parts of the Union, as to be called 
the American system. In several of the southern states, it 
excited the most determined opposition. The state of South 
Carolina, in convention, proceeded so far as to pass an ordi- 
nance, openly resisting the law, and the people actually 
began to arm themselves for the purpose of carrying the 
ordinance into effect. 

Such was the attitude of aff"airs when congress assembled in 
the autumn of 1832, and all parties were anxiously awaiting 
the result of the threatened collision between the officers of 
the general government and the people of the opposing state. 

In December the president issued a proclamation, in which, 
after discussing the question of state rights, and asserting the 
right and power of the general government to regulate corn- 



Give an account of Black Hawk and 

his war. 
When was a new tariff passed ? 
What was its character ? 
Who were dissatisfied with it ? 



What course was adopted by South 
Carolina ? 

What is said of the president's pro- 
clamation ? 



34* 



403 



OPPOSITION TO THE TARIFF. 



merce and imposts, he exhorted the people of South Carolina 
to desist from their opposition, and called upon the citizens 
of the United States to support him in the execution of the 
laws. 

The immediate effect of this proclamation was to unite all 
the friends of the Union in support of the president. Many 
of his warmest political opponents declared their determina- 
tion to giA'e him their aid in preserving the integrity of the 
Union, and asserting the supremacy of the laws. 'J'he 
government and people of South Carolina, however, were 
by no means intimidated by this array of power. They still 
presented a bold front; and Mr. Calhoun, one of their leading 
statesmen, having resigned the office of vice-president, and 
been elected to the United Slates senate, took his seat among 
the members of that body, to defend the position assumed by 
his native state. 

In this crisis, congress deemed it prudent to blend concilia- 
tion with menace, and to alleviate the grievances of which the 
niiUiJiers complained. With this view, towards the close of 
December, 1832, a bill was introduced into the house of re- 
presentatives, substituting for the obnoxious tarifl" a new and 
lower rate of duties, from and after the 3d of March, 1833. 
This bill gave satisfaction to neither party ; and while it was 
under discussion, another bill was introduced into the senate 
for enforcing the collection of the duties, which effectually 
armed the executive for the support of the revenue laws. 
This bill was ultimately passed. 

When a considerable portion of the session had gone by 
without any satisfactory adjustment of this alarming dispute, 
Mr. Clay, the same statesman who had effected the reconcilia- 
tion of northern and southern interests in the Missouri affair, 
brought forward, in the senate, by way of compromise, a new 
tariff bill, which met with the support of Mr. Calhoun, and 
of the other senators from the southern section of the Union. 
It provided for a gradual reduction of the duties ; thus enabling 
the manufactiirers to prepare for the change, and assuring their 
opponents of ultimate redress. This being a money bill 
could not originate in the senate ; but having been Aivourablv 
received tiiere as a pledge of peace, was introduced, by way 
of amendment, into the tariff bill in the other house, and being 
there agreed to, it was sent back to the senate, and finally 



What was its olTpct ? 
What was done by congress towwds 
conciliating the nullifiers > 



What was done towards enforcing 

the obnoxious laws P 
What was proposed by Henry Cla)- ? 
What was the chnracter of hi« bill ? 



COMPROMISE BILL. 40S 

passed. The danger of disunion and civil war was thus com- 
pletely removed. 

The session of congress was closed on the 3d of March, 
1833, and on the 4th, General Jackson, who had been a 
second time elected to the office of president, in the autumn 
of 1832, delivered his inaugural address in the hall of repre- 
sentatives. It was chiefly occupied in recommending union 
to the states, and in pointing out the dangers they would 
incur by separation from, or disagreement with, each other. 
The office of vice-president had been conferred by the people 
on Martin Van Buren. 

The next important measure of General Jackson's admi- 
nistration was the removal of the government deposites from 
the bank of the United States to the local banks. In justifi- 
cation of this measure, the president, on the 18lh of Septem- 
ber, addressed to the cabinet a long and argumentative paper. 
His principal charges against the bank were, that its officers 
had employed means to retard the redemption of part of the 
public debt, retaining in their own hands the money which 
should have been applied to that redemption, and that they 
had exerted their influence, and misapplied their funds in 
controuling the press of the country. 

The commercial embarrassment and distress occasioned by 
this measure arrayed a strong party in opposition to the pre- 
sident; and the subsequent session of congress was chiefly 
occupied with discussions connected with the ' Bank question.' 
The president was sustained in his course by the house of 
representatives ; but the senate were resolute in their oppo- 
sition. Matters were even carried so far that a vote censuring 
the conduct of the president, and pronouncing it unconstitu- 
tional, was passed in that body. The alarm occasioned 
throughout the country by the derangement of the currency, 
caused a temporary suspension of commercial business in 
many places, and a great number of petitions from citizens in 
various parts of the Union were addressed to the president, 
praying for the restoration of the deposites to the bank. But 
with his usual firmness of purpose, he maintained the position 
which he had taken, and the deposites were not restored. 
When the temporary panic had passed away, however, busi- 
ness speedily recovered its usual activity. ♦ 



What was its effect ? 

When did General Jackson enter up- 
on his second term of office ? 

What is said of his inaugural ad- 
dress ? 

Who Was ckosen vice-president ■' 



What was the next important mea- 
sure of the administration ? 

What were the reasons assigned by 
the president for this measure ? 

What was its effect in congress ? 

On business ? 



404 



CLAIMS ON FRANCE ADJUSTED. 



In his message to congress at the opening of the session 
of 1834-5, the president adverted to certain claims on the 
French government for spoliations on our commerce, com- 
mitted under the Berlin and Milan decrees of Napoleon, 
which had been adjusted by a treaty fixing the amount at 
25,000,000 francs, but had never been paid. A suggestion 
was thrown out in the message as to the propriety of making 
reprisals on French property in case of further delay. The 
French government of course took fire at this intimation, and 
assumed an attitude which seemed to threaten war. Neither 
nation, however, was in a situation to render this desirable ; 
and the president, having in his message of 1835, without 
compromising his own dignity or that of his country, given 
such explanations of his previous declarations as he thought 
consistent with truth and propriety, the French ministry 
gladly availed themselves of the opportunity thus afforded of 
satisfying the American claims without delay. 

In tlie winter of 1836, the Seminole Indians commenced 
hostilities in Florida, ravaging the plantations, and killing 
great numbers of the inhabitants. A considerable force of 
regular troops and volunteers was sent against them without 
success, until it became necessary to order the greater part of 
the regular army to the defence of the southern border. The 
war, however, has not yet been terminated (October, 1836.) 
The Creeks and several other tribes having united their 
arms with those of the Seminoles, were reduced to submis- 
sion, and the greater part of them transported west of the 
Mississippi ; but the Seminoles are still engaged in hostili- 
ties with the people of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and 
Mississippi Great numbers of them have been destroyed, 
and others captured and transported to the western territories 
of the United States ; but the nature of the country affords 
them great facilities for retreat and concealment; and the 
resolution which they evince, while it renders this the most 
obstinate of any of the numerous Indian wars in which the 
United Stales have been engaged, gives litlle reason to hope 
for its termination without effecting their removal en masse 
to the regions beyond the Mississippi. 

During the present administration, the whole of the public 
debt of the United States has been extinguished ; and in the 
summer of the present year, (1836,) congress -passed a bill 



What occasioned an apprehension of 

war \%-ith France .' 
IIdw was it averted r 



Wliat Indians commenced war in 

1835 ? 
What is said concerning this war ? 



EXTINCTION OF THE PUBLIC DEBT. 405 

for distributing the surplus revenue among the several states 
of the Union, which received the sanction of the president, 
and became a law. 



In the cursory view which we have thus taken of the 
events of the last eight years, we have carefully abstained 
from expressing any opinion on the character of the measures 
adopted by the government. That, as we have already 
observed, belongs to the future historian. A desire to render 
this brief history complete, has induced us to record these 
events, while a no less anxious desire to preserve its impar- 
tiality has determined us to leave to the unerring awards of 
time, the characters aud motives of our contemporaries. 



APPENDIX. 



DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

JULY 4, 1776. 

A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America, »n 
Congress assevibled. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one 
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with 
another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and 
equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, 
a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare 
the causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident: — that all men are created equal; 
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights ; 
that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ; that to 
secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their 
just powers from the consent of the governed ; that whenever any form of 
government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to 
alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation 
on such principles, -.ind organizing its powers in such forms, as to them shall 
seem most likely to ellect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, 
will dictate, thnt governments long established should not be changed for 
light and transient causes ; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that 
mankind arc more disposed to sufi'cr wliile evils arc sutTerable, than to right 
tliemselves by abolishing the forms to .which they are accustomed. But 
when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same 
object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their 
right, it is theii duty, to throw olf such government, and to provide new 
guards for their future security. Sucli has been the patient sulfcrance of 
these colonies ; and such is now tlie necessity which constrains them to 
alter their former systems of government. The history of the present king 
of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having 
in direct object the establishment of an absolute tj'ranny over these states. 
To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. 

He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for 
the public good. 

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing 
importance, unless suspended in their operation, till his assent should be 
obtained ; and when so suspended, ho has utterly neglected to attend to 
them. He i)as refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large 
districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of repre- 
sentation in the legislature; a right inestimable to them, and formidable to 
tyrants only. 

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, 
and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose 
of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. 

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with 
manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 

He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to 
be elected ; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have 
returned to the people at large, for their exercise; the state remaining, in 

406 



APPENDIX. 407 

the mean time, exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and 
convulsions within. 

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these states ; for that 
purpose obstructing the laws for^ naturalization of foreigners; refusing to 
pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions 
of new appropriations of lands. 

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to 
laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their 
offices, and the amount and pa}'ment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of 
officers, to harass our people, and to eat out their substance. 

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the 
consent of our legislatures. 

He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, 
the civil power. 

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our 
constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws ; giving his assent to their 
acts of pretended legislation. 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us : 
For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders 
which they should' comm.it on the inhabitants of these states: 
For cutting off' our trade with all parts of the world : 
For imposing taxes on us without our consent: 
For^priving us, in manj' cases, of the benefits of trial by jury: 
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offences; 
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighbouring pro- 
vince, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its 
boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for 
introducing the same absohite rule into these colonies: 

For taking away our charters, abolisliing our most valuable laws, and 
altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments: 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested 
with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, 
and waging war against us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and 
destroyed the lives of our people. 

He is, at this time, transportmg large armies of foreign mercenaries to 
complete the works o,f death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with 
circumstances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most 
barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to 
bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends 
and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. 

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to 
bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose 
known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, 
and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the 
most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by 
repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act 
which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We 
have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislature to 
extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. VVe have reminded them of 
the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed 
to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by 
the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would 
inevitably interrupt our connexions and correspondence. They, too, hare 



408 APPENDIX. 

been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinit}-. We must, therefore, 
acquiesce in the necessity whicli denounces our separation, and hold them, 
as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war; in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in 
General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world 
for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and hj' the authority of 
the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare. That these 
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be. Free and Independent 
States ; that the^' are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, 
and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain 
is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and that, as free and independent 
states, the}' have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, 
establish commerce, and to. do all other acts and things which independent 
states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm 
reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to 
each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour. 

JOHN HANCOCK, &c. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect 
union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common 
defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to 
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the 
United States of America. 

ARTICLE I. 

Sect. I. — A* legislative powers herein granted, shall be vested in a 
congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and house of 
rej rcscntatives. 

Sect. II. — 1. The house of representatives shall be composed of members 
chosen every second year, by the people of the several states ; and the 
electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of 
the most numerous branch of the state legislature. 

2. No person shall be a representative who shall not have attained the 
age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United 
States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of the state in 
which lie shall be chosen. 

3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the 
several states which may be included within this llnion, according to their 
respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole 
number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, 
and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The 
actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting 
of the congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 
ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number 
of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each 
state shall have at least one representative: and until such enumeration 
shall be made, the state of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three; 
Massachusetts, eight; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, one; 
Connecticut, five ; New York, six ; New Jersey, four ; Pennsijlvania, eight; 
Delaware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North Carolina, live | 
iinulh Carolina, 5 ; and Ctorgia, thrae. 



APPENDIX. 409 

4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the exe- 
cutive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. 

5. The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other 
officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

Sect. III. — 1. The senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years ; 
and each senator shall have one vote. 

2. Immediately after they shall be assembled, in consequence of the first 
election, they shall be divided, as equally as ma}' be, into three classes. 
The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration 
of the second year ; of the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year ; 
and of the third class, at the expiration of the sixth year; so that one-third 
may be chosen every second year ; and if vacancies happen by resignation 
or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive 
thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the 
legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies. 

3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of 
thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who 
shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall 
be chosen. 

4. The vice-president of the United States shall be president of the 
senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

5. The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro 
tempore, in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise the 
oflSce of president of the United States. t 

6. The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When 
sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the 
president of the United States is tried, the chief justice shall preside ; and 
no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the 
members present. 

7. Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend farther than to 
removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of 
honour, trust, or profit, under the United States; but the party convicted 
shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and 
punishment according to law. 

Sect. IV^ — 1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for 
senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legis- 
lature thereof; but the congi'ess may at any time by law make or alter such 
regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. 

2. The congiess shall assemble at least once in every year; and such 
meeting shall be (>n the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law 
appoint a different dij'. 

Sect. V. — 1. Each house shall be judge of the elections, returns, and 
qualifications of its own members ; and a majority of each shall constitute a 
quorum to do business ; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, 
and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such 
manner, and under such penalties, as each house may provide. 

2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its 
members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, 
expel a member. 

3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to 
time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, 
require secrecy ; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on 
any question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on 
the journal. 

4. Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the 
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other 
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. 

Sect. VI. — 1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensa- 
tion for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury 

35 



410 APPENDIX. 

of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, and 
breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest, during their attendance at 
the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from 
the same ; and for any speech or debate in either bouse, they shall not be 
questioned in any other place. 

2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was 
elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authoritj- of the United 
States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall 
have been increased, during such time ; and no person holding any office 
under the United States, shall be a member of either house during his 
continuance in office. 

Sect. VII. — 1, All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house 
of representatives ; but the senate may propose or concur with amendments, 
as on other bills. 

2. Every bill, which shall have passed the house of representatives and 
the senate, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the president of 
the United States: if he approves, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall 
return it with his objections to that house in which it shall have originated, 
who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to 
reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of that house shall 
agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the 
other house, bj- which it shall likewise be reconsidered ; and if approved by 
two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the 
votes of both houses shall be determined by j-eas and nays ; and the names 
of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal 
of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the presi- 
dent within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented 
to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless 
the congress, by theif adjournment, prevent its return ; in which case, it 
shall not be a law. 

3. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the 
senate and house of representatives may be necessary, (except on a questioa 
of adjournment,) shall be presented to the president of the United States ; 
and, before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or, being 
disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the senate and house 
of representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the 
case of a bill. 

Sect. YIII. — The congress shall have power — 

1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises; to pay the 
debts, and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the 
United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform through- 
out the United States: 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the I'nited States: 

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several 
states, and with the Indian tribes : 

4. To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on 
the subject of bankruptcies, throughout the United States : 

r>. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix 
the standard of weights and measures: 

6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and 
current coin of the United States: 

7. To establish post-offices and post-roads : 

8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts by securing, for 
limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclusive right to their respec- 
tive writings and discoveries: 

n. To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court : To define and 
punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and olTences 
against the law of nations: 

10. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules 
concerning captures on land and water: 



APPENDIX. 411 

11. To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to that 
Use shall be for a longer term tlian two years: 

12. To provide and maintain a navy: 

13. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and 
naval forces : 

14. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the 
Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions: 

15. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and 
for governing such parts of them as may be employed in the service of the 
United States ; reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the 
officers, and the authority of training the militia, according to the discipline 
prescribed by congress : 

16. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such 
district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular 
states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of the government 
of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased 
by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for 
the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful 
buildings : — And, 

17. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper, for carrying 
into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this 
constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department 
or officer thereof. 

Sect. IX. — 1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the 
states now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by 
the congress prior to the j'car one thousand eight hundred and eight ; but a 
tax or duty may be imposed on such importation not exceeding ten dollars 
for each person. 

2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless 
■when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. 

3. No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed. 

4. No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to 
the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. 

5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No 
preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to the 
ports of one state over those of another ; nor shall vessels bound to or from 
one state be obliged toenter, clear, or pay duties in another. 

6. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of 
appropriations made by law ; and a regular statement and account of the 
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time 
to time. 

7. No title of nobility, shall be granted by the United States ; and no 
person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the 
consent of congress, accept of any present, emolument, office or title, of any 
kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. 

Sect. X. — 1. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confedera- 
tion ; grant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin money, emit bills of credit ; 
make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts ; pass 
anj' bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of 
contracts ; or grant any title of nobility. 

2. No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any imposts or 
duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for 
executing its inspection laws ; and the net produce of all duties and 
imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of tiie 
treasury of the United States ; and all such laws shall be subject to the 
revision and controul of the congress. No state shall, without the consent 
of congress, lay any dutj^ on tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time 
of peace, enter into any agreement or compact witli another state, or with 
a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such 
imminent danger as will not admit of del^iy. 



412 APPENDIX. 



ARTICLE II. 



Sect. I. — 1. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the 
United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four 
years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for the same term, be 
elected as follows : 

2. Each state shall appoint, in such a manner as the legislature thereof 
may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of senators and 
representatives to which the state may be entitled in the congress ; but no 
senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under 
the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

3. [Annulled. Sec Amendments, Art 12.] 

4. The congress mny determine the time of choosing the electors, and the 
day on which they shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same 
throughout the United States. 

6. No person except a natural bom citizen, or a citizen of the United 
States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be eligible to 
the office of president; neither shall any person be eligible to that office 
who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five j-ears, and been 
fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

6. In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, 
resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, 
the same shall devolve on the vice-president; and the congress may by law 
provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the 
president and vice-president, declaring what officer shall then act as presi- 
dent; and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, 
or a president shall be elected. 

7. The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compen- 
sation wiiich shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for 
which he shall have been elected ; and he shall not receive, within that 
period, any other emolument from the United States, or any of them. 

8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the 
following oath or affirmation : 

9. " I do solemnly swear [or affirm] that I will faithfully execute the 
office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, 
preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States." 

Sect. II. — 1. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and 
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when 
called into the actual service of the United States ; he may require the 
opinion in writing of the principal officer in each of the executive depart- 
ments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices ; 
and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for oH'enccs against 
the United States, except in cases of impeachment 

2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the 
senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present concur; 
and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the 
senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, 
judges of the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States, 
whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall 
be established by law. But the congress may by law vest the appointment 
of such inferior officers as they think proper, in the president alone, in the 
courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

3. The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may 
happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which 
shall expire at the end of their next session. 

Sect. III. — He shall from time to time give to the congress information of 
the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures 
as he shall judge necessary and expedient ; he may, on extraordinary occa- 
sions, convene both houses, or either of them ; and in case of disagreement 
between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjoura 



APPENDIX. 413 

them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors 
and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully 
executed ; and shall cuinmission all the officers of the United States. 

Sect. IV. — The president, vice-president, and all civil ofhcers of the 
United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and convic- 
tion of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours. 

ARTICLE III. 

Sect. I. — The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one 
supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the cono;ress may from time to 
time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior 
courts, shall_ hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated 
times, receive for tlieir services a compensation which shall not be 
diminished during their continuance in office. 

Sect. II. — 1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity, 
arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties 
made, or which shall he made, under their authority ; to all cases affecting 
ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all cases of admiralty 
and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which the United States shall 
be a party ; to controversies between two or more states, between a state 
and citizens of another state, between citizens of dilferent states, between 
citizens of tlie same state claiming lands under grants of different states, 
and between a state or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizena, or 
subjects. 

2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, 
and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme court shall have 
original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the supreme 
court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such 
exceptions, and under such regulations, as the congress shall make. 

3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by 
jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall 
have been committed; but when not committed with any state, the trial 
shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law have directed. 

Sect. III. — 1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in 
levj'ing war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid 
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testi- 
mony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. 

2. The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason ; 
but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, 
except during the life of the person attainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Sect. I. — Full faith and credit shall be given, in each state, to the public 
acts, records, and judicial proceedings of ever}' other state: and the congress 
may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and 
proceedings shall be proved, and tiie effect thereof. 

Sect. II. — 1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privi- 
leges and immunities of citizens in the several states. 

2. A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, 
who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall, on demand 
of the executive authority of the state from which he fted, be delivered up, 
to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime. 

3. No person held to service or labour in one state, under the laws thereof, 
escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, 
be discharged from such service or labour; but shall be delivered up, on 
claim of the party to whom such service or labour may be due. 

Sect. III. — 1. New states may be admitted by the congress into this 
Union ; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction 
of any otlier state, nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more 

35* 



414 APPENDIX. 

states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states 
concerned, as well as of the congress. 

2. The congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules 
and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the 
United States ; and nothing in this constitution shall be so construed as to 
prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular state. 

Sect. IV. — The United States shall guarantee to everj- state in this Union 
a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against 
invasion ; and, on application of the legislature, or of the executive, ^when 
the legislature cannot be convened,) against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V. 

The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, 
shall propose amendments to this constitution; or, on the application of the 
legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for 
proposing amendments ; which, in either case, shall be valid, to all intents 
and purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures 
of three-fourths of the several states, or bj' conventions in three-fourths 
thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the 
conj,TCSS : provided, that no amendment which may be made prior to the 
year one thousand eight hundred and eight, shall, in any manner, afFect the 
first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no 
state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the 
senate. 

ARTICLE VI. 

1. All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption 
of this constitution, shall be as valid against the L'nited States, under this 
constitution, as under the confederation. 

2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be 
made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be made, 
under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the 
land ; and the judges in every state sliall be bound thereby; any thing in the 
constitution or laws of any state to tlie contrary notwitlistanding. 

3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members 
of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both 
of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or 
aflSrmation to suppoit this constitution: but no religious test shall ever be 
required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United 
States. 

ARTICLE Vn. 

The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the 
establishment of this constitution between the states so ratifying the same. 

GEO. WASHINGTON, President. 
William Jackson, Secretary, 



AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION, 

Art. I. — Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of 
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom 
of speech, or of the press ; or the riglit of the people peaceably to assemble 
and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. * 

Art. II. — A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a 
free stale, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be 
infringed. 



APPENDIX. 415 

Art. III. — ^No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, 
without the consent of the owner ; nor in time of war, but in a manner to 
be prescribed by law. 

Art. IV. — The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be 
violated ; and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported 
by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

Art. V. — No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise 
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, 
except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia when in 
actual service, in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be 
subject, for the same offence, to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb ; 
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ; nor 
shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself; 
shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 

Art. VI. — In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right 
to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district 
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have 
been previously ascertained by law, and to be inform.ed of the nature and 
cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with tiie witnesses against him; 
to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour; and to 
have the assistance of counsel for his defence. 

Art. VII. — In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall 
exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved ; and no 
fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the 
United States, than according to the rules of the common law. 

Art. VIII. — Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fmes 
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

Art. IX. — The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights shall not 
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

Art. X. — The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitu- 
tion, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, 
or to the people. 

Art. XI. — The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed 
to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one 
of the United States, bj' citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects 
of any foreign state. 

Art. XII. — 1. The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote 
by ballot for presiilent and vice-president, one of whom, at least, shall not 
be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name, in 
their ballots, the person voted for as piesident, and in distinct ballots the 
person voted for as vice-president ; and they shall make distinct lists of all 
persons voted for as president, and of all persons voted for as vice-president, 
and of the number of votes for each, which list they shall sign and certify, and 
transmit sealed to the seat of government of the United States, directed to the 
president of the senate ; the president of the senate shall, in the presence of the 
senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes 
shall then be counted: the person having the greatest number of votes for pre- 
sident shall be the president, if such number be a majority of the whole num- 
ber of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the 
persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those 
voted for as president, the house of representatives shall choose immediatelj", 
by ballot, the president. But in choosing the president, the vote shall be 
taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote: a 
quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two- 
thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a 
choice. And if the house of representatives sliaU not choose a president, 
whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth 
day of March next following, then the vice-president shall act as prcsi- 



416 APPENDIX. 

dent, as in the case of the death, or other constitutional debility, ol the 
president. 

2. The person having the greatest number of votes as vice-president shall 
be the vice-president, if such number be a mnjority of the whole number of 
electors appointed ; and if no person have a majority, then from the two 
highest numbers on the list the senate shall choose the vice-president: a 
quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of 
senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessarj' to a choice. 

3. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall 
be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States. 

Art. Xlll. — If any citizen of the United States shall accept, claim, receive, 
or retain any title of nobility or honour, or shall, without the consent of 
congress, accept and retain any present, pension, office, or emolument of 
any kind whatever, from any emperor, king, prince, or loreign power, such 
person shall cease to be a citizen of the United States, and shall be incapable 
of holding any office of trust or profit under them, or either of them. 



POPULATION OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES. 
Total population in 1701, 262,000. Total population in 1749, 986,000. 

EXPENSE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

Estimated amount of expenditures from 1775 to 1784, — in specie,— 
$135,193,703. 

Emissions of continental money from 1776 to 1781. Old emission, 
$357,476,541. New emission, $2,070,485. 

By comparing this amount of paper money with the preceding estimate of 
the expense of the war, in specie, it will be seen that the average deprecia- 
tion of the whole amount issued was nearly two-thirds of its original value. 

TROOPS EMPLOYED DURING THE REVOLUTION. 

[From Dr. Holmes's Annals.] 

Land forces employed by Great Britain in America, 1774-1780. 



1774 6,S84 

1775 11,219 

1776 45,865 

1777 48,616 



Died and deserted 19,381 
Prisoners . . 3,336 



Lost of the army 24,717 
Lost of the navy 4,314 



24,717 29,031 

Naval force for the above four years. 

Men of war and armed vessels ... S3 

Complement of men . . . . . 22,337 

Of which were lost by death .... 4,314 

British corps and recruits sent from Great Britain or Ireland to North 
America or the IVest Indies. 

1778 , . 3,774-j 

1779 . . 6,871 {.Total, 20,882. 

1780 . . 10,2373 

Men and marines employed by Great Britain during the American war. 
Raised for his majestv's navy, marines included, from September 29, 1774, 

to September 29, 1780 175,990 

Of whom, in five years, beginning with 1776, and ending with 1780, 

Died .... 18,545 5, „, ,q-qo 
iir I -11 J 1 oo I f lotal, 19,lbS 

Were killed . . 1,234 5 

Deserted , . . 42,069 



APPENDIX. 417 

Troops raised in Great Britain and Ireland for his majesty^s land service, 
(militia andfencible men in North Britain not included,) from Septem- 
ber 29, 1774, to September 29, '780 76,885 

Of which died in North America and the West Indies 10,012 
Taken prisoners, including those under the convention 

of Saratoga 8,629 

Deserted 3,801 

Discharged the service 3,885 

26,327 
Account of the ships cffhe line and frigates taken or destroyed during the 
war of the Revolution. 

French ships of the line taken by the British . 13 7 nc 

Do. . . lost , . . . 13 5 • •"^^ 

Spanish ships of the line taken by do. . . l\ ,n 

Do. . . lost .... 55 • ^■^ 

Dutch ships of the line taken by do. . . . 3^ ~ 

Do. . . lost .... 45 ' 

American ship of the line taken by do. ... .1 

• Taken, 23 ; lost, 23. Total, 46 

French frigates taken, 27; American, 12; Spanish, 11 ; and Dutch, 2; beside 

which, 5 Spanish and 4 American frigates were lost. Total, 61. 
British, one 64 and two oO's taken hy the French . . . ^7 -lo 

Do. ships of the line lost I55 

British frigates taken by the French, 6 ; by the Americans, 1 ; and 17 lost. 
Total, 24. 



STANDING ARMY OP THE UNITED STATES IN 1836. 

The Western Department of the Army comprises all west of a line drawn 
from the southernmost point of East Florida to the northwest extremity of 
Lake Superior, taking in the whole of Tennessee and Kentuckj'. The East- 
ern Department embraces all the east of such line, including Fort Winne- 
bago. 

The Head Quarters of the General-in-Chief are at Washington, in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia ; those of the Western Department are at Memphis, in 
Tennessee ; and those of the Eastern Department are in the city of New York, 

General Officers. 
Major-General Alexander Macomb, General-in-Chief. Head-Quarters, 

Washington City. 
Edmund P. Gaines, Brigadier-General — Major-General by Brevet. Head- 
Quarters, Memphis, Tennessee. 
Winfield Scott, Brigadier-General — Major-General by B7-evet. Head-Quar- 
ters, New York City. 
Colonel Roger Jones, Adjutant-General. 
Colonel John E. Wool, Inspector-General. 
Colonel George Croghan, Do. 

Brigadier-General Thomas S. Jesup, Quartermaster-General — Major-General 
by Brevet. 

Organization of the Army. 
One Major-General ; 2 Brigadier-Generals ; 1 Adjutant-General ; 2 In- 
spector-Generals ; 1 Quartermaster-General ; 4 Quartermasters ; 1 Commis- 
sarj'-Geiieral of Subsistence; 2 Commissaries ; 1 Surgeon-General; 12 Sur- 
geons ; 65 Assistant Surgeons ; 1 Paymaster-General ; 14 Paymasters ; 
1 Commissary-General of Purchases; 2 Military Store-keepers; 18 Colonels; 
28 Lieutenant-Colonels; 22 Majors; 136 Captains ; 159 First Lieutenants; 



418 



APPENDIX. 



20S Second Lieutenants ; 11 Sergeant-Majors ; 11 Quartermasters Sergeants; 
42s Sergeants; 454 Corporals; 14 Principal Musicians; 212 Musicians; 
108 Artilicers ; 250 Enlisted Ordnance ; and 5,606 Privates. Total Commis- 
sioned Oliicers, 696; Kon-Commissioned Officers and Privates, 6,502. Grand 
Total, 7,16a. 

Militia. 

The whole number of militia in the United States, according to the latest 
returns, is 1,311,569. 



NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES IN 1836. 



Name and Rate. 


Where and when built. 


Where employed. 


Shijis of the Line. 








Guns. 








Franklin, 74 ;' Philadelphia, 


1815 


In ordinary, at New York. 


Washington, 74 1 Portsmouth, N. H 


1S16 


do, at New York. 


Columbus, 74 


Washington, 


1819 


do. at Boston. 


Ohio, 74 


New York, 


1820 


Fitting for sea at New York. 


North Carolina, 74 


Philadelphia, 


1820 


In ordinary, at Norfolk.* 


Delaware, 74 ! Gosport, Va. 


1820 


do. at Norfolk. 


Alabama, 74 


. 


. 


On stocks at Portsmouth, N. H. 


Vermont, 74 


, 




do. at Boston. 


Virginia, 74 


. 


. 


do. at Boston. 


Pennsylvania, 74 


. 




do. at Philadelphia, 


New York, 74 


• 


• 


do. at Noifolk. 


Fr7gates,\stCl(iss. 








Independence, 74 


Boston, 


1S14 


Rep. as a doub-dk. frig. Boston. 


United States, 44 


Philadelphia, 


1797 


In ordinaiy, at New York. 


Constitution, 44 


Boston, 


1797 


In commission, Mediterranean. 


Guerriere, 44 


Philadelphia, 


1S14 


In ordinary, at Norfolk. 


Java, 44 


Baltimoie, 


1S14 


do. at Norfolk. 


Potomac, 44 


Washington, 


1821 


In commission, Mediterranean. 


IJrandywine, 44 


Washington, 


1S25 


do. Pacific. 


Hudson, 44 


Purchased, 


1826 


In ordinar}', at New York. 


Columbia, 44 


Washington, 


1S36 


do. at Washington. 


Santce, 44 


. 




On stocks, at Portsmouth, N. H. 


Ciiinberland, 44 


. 




do. at Boston. 


Sabine, 44 


. 




do. at New York. 


Savannah, 44 


. 




do, at New York. 


Raritan, 44 


. 




do. at Philadelphia. 


St. Lawrence, 44 


• 




do. at Norfolk. 


Frigates,2d Clasa. 








Constellation, 36 


Baltimore, 


1797 


In commission. West Indies. 


Macedonian, 36 


Captured, 


1812 


On stocks, at Norfolk, rebu'ing. 


Sloops of IVar. 








.I.ihn Adams, 24 


Charleston, S. C, 


1799 


In commission, Mediterranean. 


Cvane, 21 


Captured, 


1815 


Condemned, Philadelphia. 


Erie, IS 


Baltimore, 


1813 


In commission, Coast of Brazil. 


Ontario, IS 


Baltimore, 


1813 


do. Coast of Brazil. 


Peacock, IS 


New York, 


1813 


do. East Indies. 


Boston, IS 


Boston, 


1825 


In ordinary, at Boston. 


Lexington, IS 


New Ynik, 


1825 


do. at Portsmouth, N. H. 


\ incennes, IS 


New York, 


1826 jln commission, Pacitic. 


Warren, IS 


Boston, 


18261 do. West Indies. 


Natchez, IS 


Norfolk, 


1S27 


In ordinary, at ^cw iork, | 



APPENDIX. 



419 



NaiiiP ami Ka 


te. 


Wliere ami w 


ipn buiU. 


Where eniployed. 


Sloops of W 


(i7-. 








Falmouth, 


18 


Boston, 


1S27 


In ordinar}', at Norfolk. 


Fairfield, 


18 


New York, 


1828 


do. at Norfolk. 


Vandalia, 


IS 


Philadelphia, 


1828 


In commission. West Indies. 


St. Louis, 


IS 


VVasliington, 


1828 


do. West Indies. 


Concord, 


18 


Portsmouth, 


1828 


In ord'ry, at Portsmouth, N. H. 


Schooners, i 


■c. 








Dolphin, 


12 


Philadelphia, 


1821 


In commission, Pacific Ocean. 


Grampus, 


12 


Washington, 


1821 


Repairing, at Norfolk. 


Shark, 


12 


Washington, 


1821 


In commission, Mediterranean. 


Enterprise, 


12 


New York, 


1831 


do. East Indies. 


Boxer, 


12 


Boston, 


1831 


do. Pacific. 


Experiment, 


12 


Washington, 


1831 


In ordinary, at New York. 


Fox, 


3 


Purchased, 


1823 


Receiving Ship, at Baltimore. 


Sea Gull, (galliot) 


Purchased, 


1823 


do. at Philadelphia. 



INDIAN TRIBES IN THE UNITED STATES. 

[From a Letter of the Secretary of War to the President of the Senate, dated 
March 8th, 1836.] 



Number of Indians emigrated. 



Winnebagoes, . 
Chippewas, Ottawas, 


and Pot- 


700 


Kickapoos, . 
Delawares, 


588 
826 


tawattamies. 




1,200 


Shawanees, . 


. 1,250 


Pottawattamies from 


Indiana, 


441 


(Jttawas, .... 


200 


Choctaws, 


. 


15,000 


Weat, .... 


222 


Quapaws, 
Creeks, 


• 


300 
3,600 


Piankeshaws, . 
Peorias and Kaskaskias, 


162 
132 


Appalachicolas, 
Cherokees, 


• • 


205 
6,000 


Sonecas, . • . . 
Scnecas and Shawanees, 
Total 31,357 


251 
2U 




Number of Tnd 


ians to remove. 




New York Indians, 


, 


4,176 


Winnebagoes, . 


4,500 


Ottawas of Ohio, . 


^ 


230 


Menomonies, . ■ . 


4,200 


Wyandots, 

Pottawattamies of Indiana, . 

Miamies, .... 


575 
3,000 
1,100 


Cherokees, 

Creeks, .... 

Chickasaws, 


18,000 

21,000 

5,600 


Chippewas, Ottawas, 


and Pot- 




Seminoles, 


3,000 


tawattamies, 




6,400 


Appalachicolas, . 

Total 72,181 


400 



Number of Ihdians south of Lake Michigan. 



Peninsula of Michigan, . 6,674 
North-west coast of Lake Su- 
perior, .... 274 
Northern curve of Green Bay, 210 
Sources of the Wisconsin and 

Menomonie, . . . 342 



North-west coast of Lake Hu- 
ron, 436 

St. Mary's River, . . 302 
South shore of Lake Supe- 
rior, 1,000 

Total 8,238 



420 



APPENDIX 



Number of Indigenous Tribes hetiveen the Mississippi and the Rocky 
Mountains. 



Sioux 27,000 

loways, .... 1,200 

Sacs, 4,800 

Foxes, .... 1,600 

Sacs of the Missouri, . . 500 

Osages, .... 6,120 

Kanzas, . . . . 1,471 

Omahas, .... 1,400 

Otoes and Missourias, . . 1,600 

Pawnees, . . . 10,000 

Camanches, . . . 7,000 

Kiowa3's, . . . 1,400 



Mandans, .... 15,000 

Quapaws, . . . 450 

Minatares, . . . . 15,000 

Assinaboins, . . . 8.000 

Creeks, .... 3,000 

Gros Ventres, . . . 3,000 

Crows, .... 4,500 

Caddoes, .... 2,000 

Poncas, .... 800 

Arickaras, . . . 3,000 

Cheyennes, .... 2,000 

Blackfeet, . . . 30,000 
Total 150,341 



Number of Indians emigrated, . . 

Number of Indians to remove, . 
Number of Indians of indigenous tribes, 



31,357 

. 72,181 
. 150,341 

Total 253,879 



"The statements herewith furnished, embrace all the tribes which now 
occupy, or which it is supposed will occupy, the country west of the Missis- 
sippi, and extending to the Rocky Mountains. It may be safely estimated 
that this amount of Indian population can furnish 15,000 warriors, who may 
be considered so nearly in contact with our settlements as to render them at 
all times dangerous neighbours, unless kept in check by a proper disposition 
of our miUt;iry force ; and it is probable that double that number could be 
supplied, if any <'ircumstances should occasion a general war in that region, 
in which the Indians could be brought to unite. Such a result, however, is 
altogether improbable, as many of these tribes are hereditary enemies, and 
are in a constant state of hostilities with one another. And, from the dis- 
persed condition of the Indians, as well as from their habits and the nature 
of their institutions, a general coalition is not to be anticipated. Nor, indeed, 
if it existed, could such a force be collected and brought to act together. 
Still, however, it is obvious that even now there is upon our western frontier 
a large force, which has been augmented, and is yet augmenting, by the 
action of the government, and upon whose peaceable or friendly disposition 
no reliance can be placed. And the scenes which are now going on in Flo- 
rida, and those which have frequently taken place elsewhere, show that the 
Indians are totally ignorant of their own relative strength and that of the 
United States, or th it, in a moment of impulse, they are totally indiflferent 
to it. A just regard to the tranquillity of an important section of the Union 
requires that measures should be permanently adopted for preventing a 
renewal of those predatory incursions which have occasioned so much loss 
of life and property." — From the Letter of the Secretary of War. 



The above statements of the military and naval force of the United States, 
and of the Indim tribes, are copied from that excellent and popular work, 
the American Almanac, to which we refer our readers for a collection of 
statistical information relating to our own and foreign countries, which is 
Dowbere else to be found in so cheap and convenieut a form. 



APPENDIX. 



421 









New Hampshire, 
Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, 
New York, 
New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, 
Maryland, 
Virginia, 
North Carolina, 
South Carolina, 
Georgia, 


•-J 
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o" 

3 
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p= 
Vt 

a 
n_ 


•^ Statement of the Troops [Continental and Militia) furnished by the respective States, during the 
Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783, inclusive. 


o 

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tr. 3 
5' 5' 


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36 



422 



APPENDIX. 



The two following tables are quoted from " Murray's Encyclopsedia of 
Geography," recently published in Philadelphia, in three volumes, royal 8vo, 
and comprising the most recent and complete information in geography and 
its collateral sciences of anj' work which has yet appeared. 



The following Table gives a View of the absolute and relative Population of 
the States and Territories in 1830 ; of the Number of the different Classes 
of the Population ; of the Rate of Increase frorn 1820 to 1830; and of the 
Area, and Number of Representatives of each State in the Federal Congress. 



STATES AND 
TEKRITURIES. 


Area, 

Sq. M. 


_ Whites. 


Free 
colVed. 


Slaves. 


Totil. 


Rate of 

Increase. 


Population 
per Sq. .M. 


No. of 
Repre. 


i\lainp, 


33,200 


398,263 


1,192 




:«9.9.-.5 


33.9 


12 


8 


New Hampshire, 


9,490 


2C^,721 


607 




269,:J28 


10.3 


28 


5 


Vermont, 


10,000 


279,771 


681 




280,652 


19. 


27 


5 


Massachusetts, 


7,800 


6(«,:i59 


7,049 




610,408 


16.65 


81 


12 


Rhode Island, 


1,225 


93,621 


3,561 


17 


97,199 


17. 


73 


2 


Connecticut, 


4,764 


289,603 


8,047 


25 


297,675 


8.15 


62 


6 


New York, 


46,0(X) 


1,868,061 


44,870 


75 


1,918,608* 


39.36 


42 


33 


Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, 


46,000 


1,309,900 


37,930 


403t 


1.348,2.33 


28.5 


30 


25 


7,276 


300,266 


18,303 


2,254t 


320,823 


15.6 


44 


6 


Delaware, 


2,100 


57,601 


15,855 


3,292 


76,748 


5.5 


36 


1 


Maryland, 


13,500 


291,108 


52,938 


10-2,994 


447,040 


9.74 


30 


8 


Dist. of Columbia, 


100 


27,563 


6,152 


6,119 


39,834 


20.1 


398 




Virginia, 


70,(XX) 


694,300 


47,348 


469,757 


1,211,405 


13.7 


18 


21 


Nortli Carolina, 


50,(KX) 


472,843 


19.543 


245,601 


737.987 


15.5 


15 


13 


South Carolina, 


a3,ooo 


257,863 


7,921 


315,401 


581,185 


15.6 


18 


9 


Georeia, 


62,000 


296,80(; 


2,486 


217,531 


516,823 


51.56 


8 


9 


Floritla Territory, 


55,000 


18,385 


844 


15,.501 


»1,730 




0.8 





Alabama, 


50,000 


190,406 


1,572 


117,549 


309,527 


142. 


6 


5 


Mississippi, 


46,000 


70,443 


519 


65,659 


136,621 


81. 


3 


2 


Louisiana, 


48,2(X) 


89,231 


16,710 


109,589 


215,7.3'.)§ 


406 


4 


3 


Tennessee, 


45,000 


535,746 


4,5.55 


141,6a3 


681,904 


62. 


15 


13 


Kentucky, 


40,.V)0 


517,787 


4,917 


165,213 


687,917 


213 


17 


13 


Ohio, 


44,()(K) 


92.^,3-29 


9,576 




937,<K)3 


61. 


21 


19 


Indiana, 


36,0(K) 


3:f9,:i99 


3,C,32 




313,031 


133. 


10 


7 


Illinois, 


53,500 


155.061 


2,384 




157,445 


165.2 


3 


3 


Michii'an, 


54,(X)0 


1 




87,27311 




2 


1 


Missouri, 


66,(XX) 


114,795 


569 


25.091 


140,455 


111. 


2 


2 


Arkansas, 


54,000 


25,671 


141 


9,629 


58,13411 




1 


1 


Wisconsin Ter., 3(Xi,n00 








30,000«» 




0.01 





* Includinc 5,602 not regularly returned. 

+ It appears that the actual number of slaves in Pennsylvania was only 67, iha 
number here given incliulins indented apprentices. 
t Every child born after iSOl is free. § Including 210 not re|;u)arly returned. 

II Population in 1835. IT Population in 1835. ♦♦ Population in IHUG. 



APPENDIX. 



423 



Maine, . . 
New Hamps 
Vermont, . 
Massachuset 
Rhode Islan( 
Connecticut, 
New York, . 
New Jersey, 
Pennsylvani 
Delaware, . 
Maryland, . 
District of Ci 
Virginia, 
North Caroli 
South Caroli 
Georgia, . . 
Alabama, . 
Mississippi, 
Louisiana, . 
Ohio, . . . 
Florida Terr 
Michigan Te 

Total 


3 «= 








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424 



APPENDIX. 



Tabic of Contemporary Sovereigns from the period of the Discovery of 
America to the present time. 



A. D. 

1492 


ENGLAND. 


FRANCE. 


GERMANY. 


PAPAL STATES 


SPAIN. 


Henry VII. 


CharlesVIII. 


Frederick 111. 


Alexander VI 


Catharine, 


1493 






Maximilian I. 




{Nav. 


1498 




Louis XIL 








1503 




•• 


- 


Pius III. 
Julius II. 




1509 


Henry VIII. 










1513 






•• 


Leo X. 




1515 




Francis I. 








1516 










Charles L 


1519 


" 


•• 


Charles V. 


•• 


Emperor 
Charles V. 


1522 








Adrian VI. 




1523 




.. 




Clement VIL 




1534 








Paul in. 




1547 


Edward VI. 


Henry II. 








1550 




.. 


•• 


Julius III. 




1553 


Mary. 










1555 






.. 


Marcellinus II 




1556 


.. 






Paul IV. 


Philip IL 


155S 


Elizabeth. 


.. 


Frederick I. 






1559 




Francis II. 


.• 


Pius IV. 




1560 




Charles IX. 








1564 






Maximilian II. 






1566 








Pius V. 




1572 


•• 






Gregory XIII. 




1574 


•• 


Henry III. 








1576 






Rodolph II. 






15S5 


•• 






Sixtus V. 




15S9 




Henry IV. 








1590 








Urban VII 
Gregory XI V. 




1591 








Innocent IX. 




1592 


.. 




~ 


Clement Vlll. 




159S 


G. BRITAIN. 




*• 


•• 


Philip III. 


1603 


James 1. 










1605 




" 


•• 


Leo XI. 
Paul V. 




1610 




Louis XIII. 








1612 


.. 




Matthias. 






1619 




.. 


Frederick II. 






1621 








Gregorj- XV. 


Philip IV 


1623 




.. 




Urban VIII. 




1625 


Charles I. 










1637 






Frederick III. 






1643 




Louis XIV. 








1644 




.. 




Innocent X. 




1655 




.. 




AlexanderVII. 




165S 




.. 


Leopold I. 






1 660 


Charles II. 










1665 








.. 


Charles II. 


1667 






.. 


Clement IX. 




1670 








Clement X. 




1676 






.. 


Innocent XI. 




16S5 


James II. 











APPENDIX. 



425 



A. D. 


ENGLAND 


FRAXCE. 


GERMANY. 


PAPAL STATES. 


SPAIN. 


16S9 


Marv and 
William III. 






Alex. VIII. 




1691 








Innocent XII. 




1694 


William III. 










1700 








Clement XI. 


Philip V. 


1702 


Anne. 










1705 






Joseph I. 






1711 


.. 




Charles VI. 






1714 


George I. 










1715 




Louis XV. 








1721 








Innocent XIII. 




1724 








Benedict XIII. 




1727 


George II. 










1730 








Clement XII. 




1740 








Benedict XIV. 




1742 






Charles VII. 






1745 






Francis I. 
and Maria 
Teresa. 






1751 


.. 








Ferdinand VI. 


1758 








Clement XIII. 




1759 






.. 




Charles III. 


1760 


George III. 










1765 






Joseph II. 






1769 






.. 


Clement XIV. 




1774 




Louis XVI. 








1775 






.. 


Pius VI. 




17SS 










Charles IV. 


1790 






Leopold II. 






1792 




Republic. 


Francis II.* 






1800 








Pius VII. 




1804 


Napoleon, 












Emperor. 


Austria. 






1806 


,. 




Francis I. 






1S08 


" 


" 






Ferd. VII. 
J. Napoleon. 


1811 


Regency. 










1814 




Louis 
XVIII. 


•• 


•• 


Ferd. VII. 


1820 


George IV. 










1823 






.. 


Leo XII. 




1824 




Charles X. 








1830 


.. 


Louis Philip. 








1831 


William IV. 




•• 


Gregory XVI. 




18321 










1836! 











* Upon the establishment of the Confederation of the Rhine, in 1806, Francis ceased 
to be Emperor of Germany, and became hereditary Emperor of Austria, under the title 
of Francis I. 



36* 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 



(TTie figures on the right hand, refer to the page of the history oti xchich an account 

(f each event rtfeiTed to may befoutid.) 

Year Pj<« 

1 492 Columbus discovers the New World 18 

1497 The Cabots discover the Continent of North America 20 

1499 Vespucci's voyage with Ojeda 19 

1501 Voyage of Cortereal.. 21 

1512 Juan Ponce de Leon discovers Florida 24 

1523 Verrazani explores the American coast 21 

1526 Narvaez attempts the conquest of Florida 25 

1534 Jaques Cartier sails up the St. Lawrence 21 

1539 Ferdinand de Soto commences the conquest of Florida 26 

1541 Soto discovers the Mississippi river 27 

1562 Ribault leaves a French colony on the coast of Florida 28 

1564 Laudonniere begins a French settlement on the river May.... 29 

1565 Laudonniere's colony destroyed by the Spaniards 29 

St. Augustine, the oldest town in the United States, founded 

by Pedro Melendcz 29 

1568 The Spanish colony on the river May destroyed by De 

Gourgues 30 

1576 Frobisher's expedition 31 

1579 Oregon territory visited by Sir Francis Drake 31 

First voyage of Sir Humphrey Gilbert 32 

1583 Gilbert takes possession of Newfoundland 32 

1584 Raleigh's first expedition sent to Carolina commanded by 

Amidas and Barlow 32 

1603 Gosnold's voyage to New England 34 

IG05 First permanent French settlement in North America made 

at Port Royal 23 

1606 First charter of Virginia issued 36 

1607 Jamestown in Virginia founded ; the earliest permanent English 

settlement in North America 38 

1 608 Quebec settled by Champlain 23 

1609 Henry Hudson discovers the Hudson river Ill 

Second charter of Virginia granted 42 

1610 The starving time in Virginia 45 

1611 Sir Thomas Dale arrives in V^irginia 46 

1613 New York settled by the Dutch Ill 

Expedition of Argall 112 

1619 First (Jeneral Assembly in Virginia 50 

1620 Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth 78 

1621 CharttT granted to the Dutch West India Company for settling 

the territory between the Connecticut and the Delaware. ... 112 

1622 Patent granted to Gorges and Mason by the Plymouth Com- 

pany 83 

1 623 Portsmouth and Dover settled by Gorges and Mason 83 

Albany sclllod hv the Dutch 112 

426 



APPENDIX. 427 

Tear Piga 

1624 Dissolution of the London Company 66 

1627 The Swedes settle on the Delaware, and call their colony New 

Sweden 134 

630 Heath's patent, for Carolina, granted 142 

1631 Clayborne forms a settlement on Kent island 68 

1631 Windsor in Cotniecticut settled 89 

1633 Maryland settled by Lord Baltimore 68 

The Dutch settle at Hartford 89 

1634 Banishment of Roger Williams 86 

Representative form of government first adopted in New Eng- 
land 86 

1635 Say brook settled by John Winthrop 89 

1636 Mr. Hooker emigrates from Massachusetts to Connecticut. .. . 89 

1637 Pequod war. Antinomian controversy 90 

1638 New Haven settled 94 

1641 New Hampshire annexed to Massachusetts 94 

1643 Confederation of the New England colonies 94 

1644 Roger Williams obtains a charter for Rhode Island 95 

1650 Connecticut abandoned by the Dutch 113 

1651 Virginia capitulates to the parliament 60 

Risingh takes Fort Casimir from the Dutch 113 

1655 Stuyvesant the Dutch governor of New York conquers New 

Sweden 113 

1660 Charles IL proclaimed in Virginia 60 

Arrival of the regicides Whalley and GofTe in Boston 98 

1663 Lord Clarendon obtains a charter for Carolina 42 

1664 Conmiissioners sent to New England to regulate the colonies. 100 

New York taken from the Dutch by the English. 114 

Charles II grants to the Duke of York a patent for the country 

from the Delaware to the Connecticut 114 

The Duke of York grants New Jersey to Berkeley and Carteret 114 

1670 Port Royal in South Carolina settled by Governor Sayle 146 

1671 Charleston settled 148 

1673 New York re-conquered by the Dutch 115 

1674 New York restored to the English at the treaty of Westminster 115 

1675 Commencement of King Philip's war 102 

1676 Bacon's rebellion in Virginia 64 

Death of King Philip 102 

Maine purchased by Massachusetts 102 

1681 First representative assembly in New Jersey 132 

Penn receives a charter for Pennsylvania 137 

1682 Philadelphia founded 138 

1684 Colonel Dongan and Lord Effingham's treaty with the Five 

Nations T 118 

1685 Charles II dies and is succeeded by James II 102 

1686 Sir Edmund Andros appointed President of New England. . . . 102 

1687 Andros attempts to deprive Connecticut of its charter 103 

1688 New York and New Jersey added to the jurisdiction of Andros 119 
Revolution in England, which gives the sovereignty to William 

and Mary 103 

1689 Andros deposed and imprisoned, and William and Mary pro- 

claimed at Boston '. 103 

Jacob Leisler usurps the government of New York 120 



428 APPENDIX. 

Year Tig* 

1689 War on the CanaJa border. Port Royal in Nova Scotia taken 

from the French 104 

1691 Colonel Sloughter appointed governor of New York 122 

Leisler deposed and executed 122 

1694 Culture of rice introduced into South Carolina 149 

1 697 Peace of Ryswick 104 

1701 Penn grants a new charter to Pennsylvania 140 

Lord Cornbury appointed governor of New York 127 

1702 War with France and Spain 104 

Expedition against St. Augustine 149 

War on the Canada border 105 

1706 Unsuccessful attack of the Spaniards on Charleston 150 

1711 Unsuccessful invasion of Canada 1 05 

1712 War in North Carolina with the Tuscarora and Coree Indians 144 

1715 War of the Yemassees 150 

1729 North and South Carolina separated 145 

1732 General Oglethorpe obtains a charter for Georgia 151 

1 733 General Oglethorpe colonises Georgia 151 

1740 Oglethorpe besieges St. Augustine 154 

1742 Invasion of Georgia by the Spaniards, successfully resisted. . . 155 

1744 War between France and England 107 

1745 Louisbourg taken 109 

1 748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle 110 

1 752 Charter of Georgia surrendered to the king 156 

1754 Commencement of the Old French War 156 

Congress of Delegates from seven colonies meets at Albany.. . 159 

1755 Nova Scotia conquered by the British 159 

Defeat of General Braddock 162 

1756 War formally declared between France and England 163 

Fort Oswego taken by Montcalm 164 

1757 Fort William Henry taken by Montcalm 165 

1758 Forts Du Qucsne and Frontignac taken by the English 167 

1 759 Quebec taken. General Wolf killed 1 68 

1705 Stamp act passed 173 

First Continental Congress meets at New York 174 

1 766 Stamp act repealed 1 74 

1768 Boston garrisoned by British troops 178 

1 770 Boston Massacre 180 

1772 Affair of the schooner Gaspee 181 

1773 Tea destroyed in Boston 184 

1774 Boston Port bill passed 184 

Continental Congress assembles ^it Philadelphia 1 95 

1775 April 19 Battle of Lexington and Concord 189 

May Ticonderoga and Crown Point taken 1 94 

June 17 Washington appointed commander in chief. 195 

Battle of Breed's Hill 196 

Nov. 19 Montreal taken 201 

Dec. 31 Attack on Quebec defeated. Montgomery killed .. . 204 

1776 March 17 Boston evacuated by the British 199 

June 28 Attack on Charleston defeated 211 

July 4 Declaration of Independence 213 

Aug. 26 Americans defeated on Long Island 220 

Sept. 15 New York occupied by the British 222 



APPENDIX. 429 

teir Pi^e 

1776 Oct. 28 Battle of White Plains 222 

Nov, Retreat of Washington through New Jersey 223 

Dec. 26 Battle of Trenton 225 

1777 Jan. 2 Battle of Princeton 226 

Arrival of La Fayette 230 

Arrival of Burgoyne , 236 

July Ticonderoga taken by Burgoyne's troops. 238 

Capture of General Prescott 232 

General Howe leaves New York and sails with 1 600 

• men for the South 233 

Aug. 16 Battle of Bennington 240 

Sept. 1 1 Battle of Brandy wine 233 

18 Congress leaves Philadelphia 234 

19 Battle of Stillwater 243 

26 Philadelphia occupied by the British 234 

Oct 4 Battle of Germantown 234 

7 Second Battle of Stillwater 244 

12 Surrender of Burgoyne 245 

22 Battle of Redbank 235 

Nov. 15 Articles of Confederation of the United States ratitied 228 

Dec. 11 Washington retires to Valley Forge 236 

1778 Treaty between France and the United States 248 

May Retreat of Barren Hill 251 

June 18 The British evacuate Philadelphia 251 

28 Battle of Monmouth 252 

July Arrival of Count d'Estaing with a French fleet 252 

Massacre at Wyoming 254 

Aug. Unsuccessful attempt to recover Rhode Island 253 

Dec. 28 The British take Savannah 255 

1779 Feb. Unsuccessful attempt of the British on Port Royal. 259 

March 3 Battle of Briar Creek 260 

April General Prevost advances towards Charleston 262 

May Descent of the British on Virginia 257 

June 20 Defeat of General Lincoln at Stono Ferry 261 

July Descent of the British on Connecticut 257 

15 Storming of Stony Point 258 

19 Storming of Paulus Hook 258 

25 Defeat of the Americans at Penobscot 258 

Sept. Arrival of the French fleet at Savannah 26 1 

23 Battle of the Bon Homme Richard and Serapis. . . . 263 

Oct. 4 Siege of Savannah 262 

1780 May 12 Charleston capitulates 266 

29 Battle at the Waxhaws 267 

June 16 Kniphausen's descent on New Jersey 275 

July 12 British defeated at Williamson's Plantation 268 

Aug. 16 Battle of Camden 271 

18 Defeat of Sumter at Firling Creek 272 

Sept. Arnold's treason at West Point 278 

Oct. 7 Battle of King's Mountain 273 

Dec. Revolt of the Pennsylvania troops 280 

1781 Jan. Descent of Arnold on Virginia 281 

17 Battle of Cowpens 283 

March 15 Battle of Guilford 285 



430 




Year 
1781 


April 
May 
Aug. 
Sept. 




Oct. 


1782 


Feb. 




March 




Nov. 




Dec. 


1783 


March 




April 



APPENDIX. 

Fage 

23 Marion takes Fort Watson 286 

Siege of Ninety Six 287 

4 Death of Colonel Hay ne 291 

6 Descent of the British on New London 293 

7 Naval Engagement of De Grasse and Graves 292 

8 Battle of Eutaw 289 

Siege and Surrender of Yorktown 297 

27 General Conway makes a motion in the British 

Parliament for discontinuing the American war. . 298 

Lord North retires from the ministry 299 

Treaty of Peace between the United States and 

Great Britain signed 299 

Ameri(!an otficers petition Congress for payment of 

arrears 300 

Meeting of the officers 301 

19 Cessation of hostilities between the United States 
and Great Britain, proclaimed by General Wash- 
ington 301 

Dec. 4 Washington takes leave of the officers of the army 302 
23 Washington resigns his commission 302 

1784 Sept. Shay's rebellion 306 

1785 March -Convention at Alexandria 308 

1786 Sept. Convention at Annapolis 308 

1787 May Convention meets at Philadelphia for framing the 

Federal Constitution 309 

Sept, 17 Constitution made public 309 

1789 March 4 Washington Administration commences 312 

1790 National debt funded 317 

1790 Aug. 7 Creek War terminated by a treaty 319 

1791 Nov. Defeat of General St. Clair 320 

Vermont admitted to the Union 320 

1794 Aug. 20 General Wayne defeats the Indians on the Miami. . 323 
1797 March 4 Commencement of John Adams's Administration. . 329 

1799 Dec. 14 Death of General Washington 332 

1800 Sept. 30 Treaty of peace between the United States and 

France signed 332 

Nov. Congress first sits at Washington 333 

1801 March 4 Commencement of JelVerson's Administration 334 

1802 July 20 Louisiana ceded to France 336 

1803 April 30 Louisiana purchased by the United States 338 

War with Tripoli 338 

1806 May British Orders in Council passed 342 

Berlin decree of Napoleon 343 

1807 June Attair of the Chesapeake and Leopard 343 

Dec. Embargo Law passed 344 

Burr's conspiracy and trial 341 

1809 March 4 Commencement of Madison's Administration 345 

Embargo Law repealed 346 

April 23 Mr. Erskine engages on behalf of the British 
government that the Orders in Council shall be 

rescinded 346 

1811 May IG AlVair of the Little Belt 348 

Nov. 7 Battle of Tippecanoe 349 



Tkut 

1812 


Feb. 






June 


18 


1812 


Aug. 
Oct. 

Dec. 


16 
19 

13 


1813 


Jan. 


7 




Feb. 


24 




April 


27 




May 


27 
29 




Aug. 






Sept. 


10 




Oct 


5 
10 




Nov. 


8 
10 

18 


1814 


Jan. 
March 


14 

1 




April 


29 




May 


5 




June 


28 




July 


5 
23 




Sept 


1 
11 
12 


1814 


Sept. 


15 




Dec, 


24 

27 


1815 


Jan. 


8 




Feb. 


17 




March 


L 




July 


3 


1816 






1817 


March 4 


1818 






1821 






1825 


March 4 




Aug. 


13 



APPENDIX. 431 

Page 

John Henry's disclosure 349 

Declaration of war against Great Britain by the 

United States 350 

Surrender of General Hull 356 

Battle of Constitution and Guerriere 358 

Battles of Wasp and Frolic and of the United States 

and Macedonian 358 

Battle of Queenstown 357 

Battle of Constitution and Java 359 

Defeat of General Winchester at Frenchtown 361 

Battle of Hornet and Peacock 369 

Siege of Fort Meigs 362 

Capture of York and death of General Pike 364 

Forts George and Erie taken 365 

Attack on Sackett's Harbour 364 

Siege of Fort Stephenson 371 

Battle of the Enterprise and Boxer 370 

Battle of Lake Erie 372 

Battle of the Thames 373 

Naval action on Lake Ontario , . . .f 366 

Battle of Taladega 374 

Battle of Chrystler's fields 366 

Battle of Hillibee 374 

Battle of Tallapoosa 374 

Battle of La Cole Mill 376 

Battle of the Peacock and Epervier 381 

Descent of the British on Oswego 377 

Battle of Wasp and Reindeer 381 

Battle of Chippewa 377 

Battle of Bridgwater 377 

Castine taken 386 

Battle of Plattsburg and Lake Champlain 379 

Battle of Baltimore 385 

Siege of Fort Erie.., 373 

Attack on Fort Boyer 388 

Treaty of Peace between the United States and 

Great Britain, signed at Ghent 393 

Traety ratified by the Prince Regerft of England.. 393 

Battle of the Hornet and Penguin 382 

Battle of New Orleans 391 

Battle of Constitution, Cyane and Levant 382 

Treaty of Peace between Great Britain and United 

States, ratified by the President 393 

War declared against Algiers 394 

Commercial Treaty with Great Britain, ratified in 

London 393 

Bank of the United States chartered 394 

Commencement of Monroe's Administration 394 

Seminole War 395 

Florida ceded to the United States 395 

Commencement of John Quincy Adams's Admi- 
nistration 396 

Arrival of La Fayette t 398 



432 APPENDIX. 

1826 July 4 Death of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson 399 

1828 Tariff Law 399 

1829 March 4 Cominencenient of Jackson's Administration 400 

1830 New Commercial Treaty with Great Britain 400 

Treaty with Turkey signed 400 

1832 Black Hawk's War 401 

New Tariff Law enacted 401 

1833 Compromise bill respecting the Tariff passed 402 

Sept. 18 Removal of Deposits from United States Bank 403 

1836 Dispute with France terminated 404 

Creek War 404 

Bill for the distribution of the surplus revenue passed 404 



LIST OF AUTHORITIES. 

Holmes's Annals of America — Bancrofi's History of the United Slates— Ramsay's 
History of ilie United Stales— Hale's History of ilie tinited Stales -Robertson's History 
of America — Irviiig's Life of Columl us — Kamsay's History of ilie American Revolu- 
tion — Perkins's History of the Late War wiili Greiit Britain— British Annual Register — 
Proud's History of Pennsylvania— Slilh's History of V'ireinia- Graham's History of the 
United SialLS—RIarsliaU's History of tlie American Coloiiies— IMarshall's Life of Wash- 
ington — Everett's Orations at Concord, Plymouth, and Cambridge — Webster's Orations 
al Plymouth and at Bunker Hill— L'Art de Verifier les Dales— Perkins's Historical 
Sketclies of the United Slates — Irvinir's Contiuesl of Kloriila — Pitkin's Statistical 
View of the Commerce of the United States of America — North American Review — 
American Quarterly Review— Niles's Register— Samlrrsun's Lives of the Signers of 
the Declaration of Independence — Longaire and Herring's National Galli'ry— Botta'9 
History of the War of Independence — Nicholas's Chronology of History — Watson'B 
Annals of Philailelphia— Gordon's History of the Revolution— Bow en's Naval Monu- 
ment — First Vi'yage of Colundus — Warren's Histury of the Revolution— Salmon's 
Modern History— ^elTiTson's Corres|H)ndence — Sparics's Wrilines of Washington — 
Wait's Slate Papers— Gales's Deliales in I'omiress — Bracl.eiiridge's History of the 
Late Wui^Garden's Anecdotes of the Revohiiionary War — Hazard's Historical Col- 
led ions — Lyman's Diplomacy of ihe United Slates— Ray iial's Revolution of America— 
Keidesel's Letters and Memoirs rdalins to the War of American Independence — 
Smith's History of Virginia — Gordon's History of America— Gordon's History of Penn- 
sylvania — Kverett's America — Thacher's Military Journal during the American Revo- 
lutionary War — Warden's Account of the United St tes — Winterlulham's View of 
the United States— Snowden's History of North and South America— Smith's History 
of New York — Minot's History of Massachusetts— Bradford's History of IMaaeachusetls. 

Note —To avoid encumbering the pages with numerous references, very few autlio- 
ritics are cited In the body of the work ; and a History of the American Revolulion 
contained in ihe Library of Useful Knowledge, and a History of the Western World, 
composins a nan of Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopspdia, have been occasionally quoted, 
with slight aUeratioiis, and ^ithuul making any other than the present general 
acknowledgment. 



THI KND. 









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